was roasted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was roasted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been cooked by dry heat, typically in an oven, or in a figurative sense to indicate someone being criticized or mocked. Example: "The chicken was roasted to perfection, with a crispy skin and juicy meat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One, the Crepes Truck, had a chalkboard pitching an "Ad Week special," a five-ingredient crepe for $7. IT'S ROASTED For the first time since Advertising Week 2007, an industry figure was roasted at the Friars Club.

The New York Times

The fowl was roasted and somehow maintained its outer crispiness in the coconut-flavored sauce.

The New York Times

A whole branzino was roasted inside a banana leaf in a tomato turmeric jam.

The New York Times - Food

Harvey Pitt, the SEC's ex-head, was roasted for his clumsy political skills.

The Economist

Duck breast was roasted to a turn, buoyed by pearl barley ragout and confit-filled cannelloni.

The New York Times

Meaty quail, another evening's special, was roasted to succulence; it deserved better than sticky garlic sauce.

The New York Times

If the roaster won't tell you when it was roasted, you've got to question why.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was roasted for pace by Owen just after half-time, which was forgivable.

The Guardian - Sport

During the free-agency period over the summer, Reese was roasted by the fans and the news media.

The New York Times

The poulard, or pullet, was soaked in hard cider before it was roasted with mushrooms, peas and applewood-smoked bacon.

The New York Times

An Atlantic cod was roasted with Swiss chard and horseradish but also a sweet tomato-rhubarb compote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was roasted" in its figurative sense, ensure the context clearly indicates criticism or mockery, avoiding ambiguity with its culinary meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "was roasted" to describe mild teasing or constructive feedback. This phrase implies strong, often humorous, criticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was roasted" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject received the action of roasting, either literally (in cooking) or figuratively (in the sense of being severely criticized). Ludwig confirms the dual nature of this term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was roasted" is a versatile expression with both literal and figurative applications. As Ludwig confirms, it describes the process of cooking with dry heat or, more figuratively, signifies being subjected to severe criticism or ridicule. The phrase is "correct" and finds frequent use in news media, while its literal sense appears across diverse contexts. When using "was roasted", be mindful of the context to avoid ambiguity. Choose more specific alternatives like "was grilled" or "was criticised severely" for clarity when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was given a roasting

Alternative construction of the phrase maintaining similar figurative meaning.

received heavy criticism

Describes the act of being the recipient of harsh criticism.

was criticised severely

Focuses on the aspect of harsh criticism, mirroring the figurative meaning of "roasted".

was lambasted

Emphasizes a strong verbal attack or denunciation.

was baked

Refers specifically to cooking in an oven with dry heat, similar to one sense of "roasted".

was ridiculed

Highlights the act of making someone or something the object of mockery.

was mocked

Similar to ridiculed, but can imply a gentler form of mockery.

was grilled

Implies cooking over direct heat, often with a slightly charred flavor.

was barbecued

Denotes cooking with smoke and slow heat, often outdoors.

was toasted

Suggests browning something with dry heat, typically bread or nuts.

FAQs

How can I use "was roasted" in a sentence?

You can use "was roasted" to describe food cooked with dry heat, like "The chicken was roasted with herbs". Figuratively, it means someone faced severe criticism, such as "The politician "was lambasted" for his controversial remarks".

What's a good alternative for "was roasted" when referring to food?

Depending on the cooking method, alternatives include "was baked", "was grilled", or "was barbecued".

When is it appropriate to use "was roasted" figuratively?

Use "was roasted" figuratively when someone has been subjected to harsh criticism, mockery, or a humorous verbal attack. It implies a level of intensity beyond simple disagreement or feedback.

What's the difference between "was criticized" and "was roasted"?

"Was criticized" is a general term for disapproval. "Was roasted" implies a more intense and often humorous form of criticism, similar to being "was ridiculed" or "was lambasted".