to give vent
1
6.5
- phrasal verb
:
dar rienda suelta
- An animated scene, full of movement, follows, and now that the fish are in their power, the fishermen speak loudly and give vent to their feelings.
And so the dummy laughs in your face trying to give vent to a horror that was number part of his old home of wood and paint and glass.
- And so the dummy laughs in your face trying to give vent to a horror that was number part of his old home of wood and paint and glass.
Examples
-
Finally, the citizens give vent to their rage against the political actors and institutions they find responsible for the present circumstances (Eckstein 1980, 144-45).
Academic text (2000) -
The young girls give vent to their repressed emotional despair through various forms of protest behaviors such as crying, fighting, shouting, and the throwing of objects.
Academic text (2003) -
Or at least, give vent to their jealousy.
-
In those days, I was depressed and unhappy, so it seemed I had to give vent to my feelings by expressing opinions like that.
Fiction book (1998) -
His anger, which had been building up all day and had only barely been restrained from giving vent to blows or tears, suddenly burst forth.
Fiction book (1993) -
It appears that Ludolf wanted to give vent to his frustration at being unable to protect his flock and to frame his understanding as a didactic lesson for his successors.
Academic text (1993) -
He was able to give vent to his frustration at the extreme difficulties he had faced in making his original selections: touring country houses during the winter months, briefly examining works in frequently gloomy and inaccessible settings.
Academic text (2012) -
After the argument, he needed to give vent to his anger through a long run.
-
She felt the need to give vent to her emotions by writing in her journal.
-
During the meeting, he gave vent to his frustrations about the project's delays.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To make a loud high cry because of fear or pain
∞
1.0
To shout loudly because you feel strong pain, anger or excitement
220
3.4
To say your opinion or feelings openly even when it is difficult
187
3.5
To suddenly show a strong feeling, often anger
152
3.2
To say something aloud, especially an opinion or feeling
108
1.8
Shout loudly to show a strong feeling, for example when surprised or hurt
81
3.4
Say something suddenly and loudly because you feel surprised or excited
61
4.1
To show strong feelings, especially when angry
50
3.1
Make a sound like a laugh, cry, or sigh
38
3.4
Show or say your emotions to other people
33
3.9
To tell someone your feelings and thoughts freely
15
4.3
To put thoughts or feelings into words
14
3.5
Do something active, like go for a run, to feel less angry or stressed
9
3.7
Say something honestly and with strong feeling
9
6.0
Talk about something worrying you so you feel better
8
6.4
Talk openly about your deepest feelings when you feel upset
6
3.9
Make a sudden loud sound, like a shout or laugh
5
8.1
To tell someone your private feelings or secrets openly
5
3.4
Speak more loudly, often because you are angry or want to be heard
4
4.6
Show strong anger or upset feelings by talking loudly
4
5.3
Express strong feelings or complaints openly
3
2.3
To breathe out slowly because you feel relieved, tired, or disappointed
2
3.4
Show your feelings with words, actions, or your face
1
8.0
Get very angry and shout loudly
1
2.1
To make a loud sudden cry because you are scared, hurt, or surprised
1
8.7
To show feelings openly, like warmth or joy
To express strong feelings openly and suddenly
To show strong feelings openly without holding them back
To tell someone or write down your thoughts to feel better
To breathe out loudly to show you are annoyed
To say a bad word when you feel angry or hurt
Antonyms
How Intense
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to express or release one's feelings' is directly derivable from combining 'give' (to allow or provide) with 'vent' (to express strong feelings), so the overall sense is compositional. This allow+expression pattern (as in 'give vent to') is a regular collocational construction and is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The phrase give vent comes from the image of a vent as a small opening that lets air out. To give vent to your feelings is like opening that hole so strong emotions can escape, so the phrase means 'to express or release' your feelings.