lightning rod


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Related to lightning rod: Lightning Protection

lightning rod

Something or someone that becomes the focus of others' criticism or blame. Primarily heard in US. The CEO became a lightning rod for criticism when his company laid off a third of its employees.
See also: lightning, rod

a lightning rod for something

mainly AMERICAN
If someone is a lightning rod for something such as anger or criticism, they are the person who is naturally blamed or criticized by people, although there are other people who are responsible. She has become a lightning rod for criticism of the administration. He told the Palermo court he was an innocent lightning rod for Italy's many crime problems. Note: You can also just call someone a lightning rod. She was the party's chief manager, star campaigner and also its lightning rod. Note: A lightning rod is a long metal strip, one end of which is fixed on the roof of a building, with the other end in the ground to protect the building from being damaged by lightning.
See also: lightning, rod, something

lightning rod

n. someone, something, or an issue that is certain to draw criticism. Why write such a boastful introduction to your book. I will just be a lightning rod for criticism.
See also: lightning, rod
References in periodicals archive ?
This is accomplished by surrounding it in what is known as a Faraday cage whereby a system of lightning protection conductors and lightning rods are installed on the roof of a building to intercept any lightning before it strikes.
Bolt from the blue could be very risky for business; Summer has given way to some stormy weather. Though lightning forks look spectacular they can pose a very real threat to buildings, warns Stuart Burridge, of CPBIGWOOD
In Switzerland, France and Italy, popular prejudice against the lightning rod was ignited and fueled by the churches and resulted in the tearing down of lightning rods from many homes and buildings, including one from the Institute of Bologna, the leading scientific institution in Italy.
Franklin's unholy lightning rod
The lightning rod is designed to transfer lightning away from buildings during an electrical storm.
The lightning bug
For Roland Barthes it was the premiere question of narrative itself, and it is posed in remarkable ways by Helen DeWitt's second published novel, Lightning Rods.
Lightning Rods
We ended up with a couple dozen "new" silver and white lightning rod balls, many still in their original cartons.
Tucked away in the barn
Lucille does make the most of her occupation--she goes on to law school (the lightning rod wages are more than enough to pay for tuition) and becomes a high-priced attorney.
Helen DeWitt. Lightning Rods
There was no lightning rod at the runway of the airport, located in the city of Miyazaki.
Miyazaki airport temporarily closed after lightning strikes runway
Stealing God's thunder; Benjamin Franklin's lightning rod and the invention of America.
Dray, Philip. Stealing God's thunder; Benjamin Franklin's lightning rod and the invention of America
The Ten Commandments have become a lightning rod in U.
The Ten Commandments: The Reciprocity of Faithfulness
stores, Wal-Mart has been a lightning rod for criticism about its wage and benefits policy as well as lawsuits alleging gender discrimination.
Minimum wage, maximum absurdity
Here I was interrupted again and required to go down and confer further with that lightning rod man.
Political economy
Larry Flynt has always been a lightning rod of controversy, but oddly, Sex, Lies, & Politics is his least controversial work ever.
Sex, Lies, & Politics: the Naked Truth
The contract, awarded without competition, has been a lightning rod for political criticism because Halliburton was once headed by Vice President Dick Cheney.
Halliburton Iraq contract to be unbundled, competed
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