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vocal about

vocal about

10 3.9
Openly say strong opinions or feelings about something
  • idiom
translation icon : hablar abiertamente sobre
  • The community has become increasingly vocal about the need for better public transportation options.
  • extremely vocal about
  • very vocal about
  • more vocal about

Mike, on the other hand, has been very vocal about his his mental health.

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Examples

  • Well, you know, some of your critics have been pretty vocal about their issues with that.

  • Country singers are becoming more and more vocal about who they'll choose on Election Day.

    Blog text (31)
  • Mike, on the other hand, has been very vocal about his his mental health.

  • There are many women working currently who are vocal about rights and safety.

    Blog text (22)
  • Many of us have been vocal about this for a long time.

    Blog text (16)
  • Most faculty are vocal about the lack of student motivation.

    Academic text (1997)
  • You have been very vocal about pay equity and earning the same or at least closer to the same as your male counterparts.

  • Places like Sonic have been vocal about their need for summer employees.

    Blog text (20)
  • Animal Protection of New Mexico has been extremely vocal about the two-day hunt.

    Blog text (4)
  • Homeowners and merchants were very vocal about their concerns regarding a high-pressure pipeline carrying sludge through their neighborhoods.

    Academic text (1998)

Synonyms

frank
vsvocal about
104 3.4

Open and honest when giving opinions or feelings

expresses stronger and more public feeling rather than calm honesty
vocal
vsvocal about
87 4.9

Saying opinions clearly and strongly in public

is focused on speaking strongly about a specific subject rather than general expression
outspoken
vsvocal about
78 4.2

To speak freely and directly about opinions or feelings

is used for strong views focused on a particular subject rather than bluntness
opinionated
vsvocal about
30 5.5

Showing strong ideas and not willing to listen to others

is about openly expressing strong views rather than stubborn unchangeable beliefs
vociferous
vsvocal about
  • Formal
7 7.8

To speak loudly and strongly to show disagreement

is more about strong expression on a subject than loud outcry
self-assertive
vsvocal about
7.0

Being confident and forceful when you speak or act, sometimes sounding rude

is strong and open but more about opinion expression than aggression
self-asserting
vsvocal about
7.1

Confident and firm when saying what you think or want

is less about aggression and more about open strong expression on issues

Antonyms

397 1.0

Not speaking when people expect an answer

17 7.9

Not willing to talk about thoughts or feelings easily

3.7

Not willing to show feelings or talk much

How Vocal

vociferous
  • Formal
7 7.8
vocal about
10 3.9
silent
397 1.0

Surface Forms

vocal about positive

Morphology

vocal + about

The meaning 'expressing opinions openly about a topic' is directly and transparently derived from 'vocal' (expressing opinions publicly) combined with 'about' (introducing the topic). This adjective + preposition compositional pattern is common and cross-linguistically regular, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Vocal about comes from the simple idea of using your voice: vocal means 'with voice' and about points to the topic. So being vocal about something means you speak up about it, which is why it means 'expressing opinions or feelings openly'.