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to voice a grievance

to voice a grievance

6.3
To express a complaint or concern, often publicly
  • phrasal verb
  • /vɔɪs ə ˈɡriːvəns/
  • Formal
translation icon : presentar una queja
  • 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

to speak up
vsto voice a grievance
  • Informal
135 3.1

Give your opinion clearly and firmly even when it is difficult

is meant as a formal public complaint rather than general speaking out
to protest
vsto voice a grievance
93 2.8

To say firmly that you are not guilty

is used to express a complaint or concern publicly rather than assert a fact
to vent
vsto voice a grievance
61 4.1

To show strong feelings, especially when angry

is a formal or public complaint instead of emotional private release
to grumble
vsto voice a grievance
41 3.7

To complain quietly in a low voice

is a formal public complaint rather than quiet private dissatisfaction
to protest against
vsto voice a grievance
40 3.6

To show in public that you strongly disagree with something

is often a formal complaint not only a public show of objection
to cry foul
vsto voice a grievance
11 5.6

Complain loudly in public that a decision is unfair

is a formal complaint about concerns across contexts not only unfairness claims
to grouse
vsto voice a grievance
  • UK
8 7.4

To complain about small unimportant things

is used for formal or public complaint about real concerns rather than trivial gripes
to voice concern
vsto voice a grievance
  • Formal
7 3.9

Speak in public to say you are worried about something

is a formal complaint stronger than mere worry or criticism
to grumble about
vsto voice a grievance
6 4.1

To complain quietly about something you do not like

is a formal or public complaint not quiet muttering about things
to vent frustration
vsto voice a grievance
4 4.6

Show strong anger or upset feelings by talking loudly

is a public formal complaint about concerns rather than private anger release
to ventilate
vsto voice a grievance
  • Formal
4 5.3

Express strong feelings or complaints openly

is focused on formal complaint or concern rather than general airing of views
to make a stink
vsto voice a grievance
  • Informal
4 6.8

Complain loudly in public to get attention

is a formal public complaint that aims at official redress rather than attention
to raise a stink
vsto voice a grievance
2 7.4

To complain loudly and make people notice the problem

is a formal complaint or concern raised in official channels
to remonstrate
vsto voice a grievance
  • Formal
1 8.5

To speak strongly to show you disagree

is a formal complaint without necessarily involving argument or debate
to fulminate
vsto voice a grievance
  • Formal
1 9.0

To speak or write very angrily against something to show strong criticism

is a formal public complaint without such extreme passionate attack
to voice beef
vsto voice a grievance
  • Slang
9.2

To complain about something in a casual way

is used formally or publicly rather than in informal personal complaints
to protest the injustice
vsto voice a grievance
3.9

To show publicly that you are against unfair treatment, often by joining a public march or speaking out

is a formal complaint about a concern in many settings not only protests

Antonyms

176 4.8

To stop public protest by force or by people in power

How Forceful

to file a lawsuit
  • Formal
35 4.6
to take legal action
  • Formal
8 4.8
to voice a grievance
  • Formal
6.3
to mention it
282 1.6
to keep quiet
90 2.5

Surface Forms

voice a grievance infinitive
voiced a grievance past participle
voicing a grievance present participle
voices a grievance third person singular

Morphology

voice + a + grievance

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.