lightning rod
11
7.1
- noun
- /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ rɑd/
:
blanco de críticas
- Their proposal was a legally impermissible set-aside plan that became a lightning rod for opposition to faculty hiring preferences based on race, gender, or ethnicity.
- become a lightning rod
And he is like, a lightning rod for abusive comments.
- And he is like, a lightning rod for abusive comments.
- At a time when federal arts funding had become a hot potato and a lightning rod, Jane chose to address the controversy head on.
- And that kind of became the lightning rod moment in terms of how people were kind of contextualizing this debate.
- Now, weddings are lightning rods for narcissistic behavior because there is emotion, there is a tension on someone other than them.
Examples
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Health care, social security, etc. are always lightning rods in these debates.
Blog text (21) -
At a time when federal arts funding had become a hot potato and a lightning rod, Jane chose to address the controversy head on.
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Today, the national organization is a lightning rod in American politics.
Blog text (34) -
The issue of rape has become a lightning rod during this political season.
Blog text (19) -
It's funny how some guys become lightning rods for criticism.
Blog text (7) -
But the CFPB has been a lightning rod for controversy, both about its policies and with respect to its structure and process.
Academic text (2018) -
One of the capital city's great buildings was Aya Sophia, a lightning rod for controversy.
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As a controversial figure, he often serves as a lightning rod for public criticism.
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The new policy has made the mayor a lightning rod for anger among residents.
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During the debate, the senator became a lightning rod for conflict, drawing attention away from other issues.
Synonyms
6
4.6
A person who causes strong arguments among many people
A person who answers hard questions from the press to protect their employer or client
How Controversial
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is transparently built from 'lightning' (a striking, damaging force) and 'rod' (an object that attracts lightning), so the literal image of something that draws down striking attention is clear. However, mapping that physical image to the abstract idea of a person who attracts criticism or controversy requires a metaphorical inference that many B1 learners would not make automatically, so the phrase is only partly predictable from its parts.
Etymology
The noun lightning rod is used for a person who draws anger or blame like a metal rod draws lightning. That's why it means 'a person who attracts criticism'.