criticism

barrage of criticism

A large amount of criticism, condemnation, or reproach. The congressman faced a barrage of criticism for his remarks this morning. Anger bubbled up in me as the boss's barrage of criticism went on and on. My career in the arts usually elicits a barrage of criticism from my family members because they're all surgeons.

See also: criticism, of

criticism sandwich

Feedback in which criticism is preceded and then followed by small amounts of praise. Likened to the filling of a sandwich being surrounded by two pieces of bread. I don't like making my team members feel bad when I need to deliver something more negative, so I usually deliver it in a criticism sandwich to soften the blow a bit. Look, criticism sandwiches don't work. If you go out of your way to praise someone and try to slip something more critical in the middle, they're just not going to take it in. A: "How am I supposed to tell this poor girl that her article wasn't good enough?" B: "Criticism sandwich?"

See also: criticism, sandwich

open (oneself) (up) to criticism

1. To do something that leaves oneself vulnerable to criticism from others. Don't ever openly or directly admit that you've done something wrong while you're in a leadership position, or you'll just open yourself to criticism from all sides. The prime minister has really been opening herself up to criticism with the way she's been backpedaling on her positions recently.

2. To allow others to give one criticism. You'll never improve as a writer if you don't open yourself up to criticism more.

See also: criticism, open, to

open to criticism

1. Able to be criticized by others. All art is open to criticism. We should never say we can't critique something just because it is a "masterpiece."

2. Willing to receive and listen to criticism. Would you mind reading this short story I wrote? I really want to improve my writing, so I'm open to criticism!

See also: criticism, open, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

open oneself to criticism

to do something that makes one vulnerable to criticism. By saying something so stupid in public, you really opened yourself to criticism.

See also: criticism, open, to

open to criticism

vulnerable to criticism. Anything the president does is open to criticism.

See also: criticism, open, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.