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Glite Dictionary
to barnstorm

to barnstorm

4 8.4
To travel to small towns to perform shows or give speeches
  • verb
  • /ˈbɑrnˌstɔrm/
  • Literature
translation icon : recorrer
  • Dorando, Hayes, and Longboat barnstormed across North America and introduced the race to adoring crowds.
  • barnstorming the country
  • barnstorming tour
  • barnstorming the state

Examples

  • In his stead stands a Chicago pol who barnstorms the country, calling Republicans political lap dogs of millionaires and billionaires who refuse to pay their fair share of taxes.

    Blog text (11)

  • He's barnstorming the country, 13 events in four days, seven states.

    Blog text (25)

  • Indeed, the president met this week with 11 leaders of liberal and labor groups and raised the possibility of a barnstorming tour.

    Blog text (14)

  • "And we plan on barnstorming the globe, sharing the message, bringing more people into the fold, and truly 'paying it forward.'

    Blog text (19)

  • - Well, he's on a barnstorming tour, playing in the off season, letting fans get up close and personal.

    Henry & Me (2014)

  • I think that Romney has realized that the LSM will not give him a fair shot, so he will barnstorm the country, taking his message directly to the people.

    Blog text (27)

  • Powell will be barnstorming the district with bluegrass performer Ralph Stanley and his Clinch Mountain Boys.

    Blog text (25)

  • Travel author and television personality Rick Steves, a supporter of the Washington measure, said he has received support from across the political spectrum during his barnstorming tour of the state.

    Blog text (15)

  • He put together a package of proposals—targeted tax cuts, infrastructure investments, money for teacher retention, and first responder hiring, to name a few—and barnstormed the country to build up support.

    Blog text (7)

  • The candidates are barnstorming across the country, giving speeches in small towns to rally support.

Synonyms

to tour
vsto barnstorm
184 1.9

To travel to several places for work or pleasure

is more energetic and focused on rural shows or campaign speeches
to stump
vsto barnstorm
  • US
12 7.9

To travel around an area making political speeches

is broader, covering energetic shows or speeches beyond only political campaigning
to take the road
vsto barnstorm
  • Jargon
6.4

To travel to different towns to perform plays

includes campaigning speeches and rural energetic appearances as well as theatrical tours

Antonyms

to settle down
173 3.0

To start living a quiet, steady life by having a regular job or a family

to stay put
  • Informal
133 2.0

Remain in the same place without moving

How Energetic

to barnstorm
  • Literature
4 8.4
to tour
184 1.9

Surface Forms

barnstorm infinitive
barnstormed past
barnstormed past participle
barnstorming present participle
barnstorms third person singular

Morphology

barnstorm = barn + storm (semi-transparent) = barn + storm

The components 'barn' and 'storm' are recognizable, but the sense 'tour or perform energetically in rural areas' is a figurative or specialized extension rather than a literal meaning of 'storming a barn'.

Etymology

Barnstorm comes from early traveling performers and pilots who went into country towns and put on shows near or inside barns, and they would 'storm' them, a word that means 'rush in' to perform for crowds. So to barnstorm now means to travel around many places giving energetic shows or speeches.