to voice a grievance
1
6.3
- phrasal verb
- /vɔɪs ə ˈɡriːvəns/
- Formal
- Several employees decided to voice a grievance about the new overtime policy during the meeting.
Examples
-
She felt empowered to voice her grievance after learning about the company's complaint process.
-
She voiced a grievance about the working conditions.
-
Anyone who wishes to voice a grievance should submit a written statement to human resources.
-
Employees should voice a grievance if they feel mistreated.
-
Several employees decided to voice a grievance about the company's unfair treatment during the meeting.
-
Anyone who wishes to voice a grievance should fill out a form to ensure that their concerns are formally registered.
-
After the incident, she felt it necessary to voice a grievance regarding the lack of safety measures in the workplace.
Synonyms
180
3.1
Give your opinion clearly and firmly even when it is difficult
67
4.1
To show strong feelings, especially when angry
66
3.6
To show in public that you strongly disagree with something
46
3.7
To complain quietly in a low voice
21
3.9
Speak in public to say you are worried about something
14
7.4
To complain about small unimportant things
14
2.8
To say firmly that you are not guilty
12
5.6
Complain loudly in public that a decision is unfair
10
4.1
To complain quietly about something you do not like
8
4.6
Show strong anger or upset feelings by talking loudly
8
6.8
Complain loudly in public to get attention
3
7.4
To complain loudly and make people notice the problem
2
5.3
Express strong feelings or complaints openly
2
9.0
To speak or write very angrily against something to show strong criticism
1
8.5
To speak strongly to show you disagree
1
3.9
To show publicly that you are against unfair treatment, often by joining a public march or speaking out
To complain about something in a casual way
Antonyms
How Forceful
- Formal
53
4.6
- Formal
10
4.8
- Formal
1
6.3
329
1.6
208
2.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'voice' means 'to express' and 'grievance' means 'a formal complaint', so together they straightforwardly mean 'express a complaint'. The article 'a' is syntactic filler and the verb + noun pattern is common and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should be able to infer the MWE.
Etymology
Voice a grievance comes from the simple image of a person using their voice to say a grievance out loud at a meeting so others can hear. That's why it means 'to express a complaint', often in a formal or public way.