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Glite Dictionary
to prepare for backlash

to prepare for backlash

6.7
Get ready for strong negative reactions from people
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : prepararse para la reacción
  • After announcing the new policy, the company had to prepare for backlash from customers.

Examples

  • Politicians often prepare for backlash when making controversial reforms.

  • The director prepared for backlash by holding a press briefing before releasing the film.

  • You must prepare for backlash after that announcement.

  • The CEO prepared for backlash from the shareholders.

  • After announcing the new policy, the company had to prepare for backlash from customers.

  • Politicians often prepare for backlash when making controversial reforms.

  • The director prepared for backlash by holding a press briefing before releasing the film.

How Ready

to mobilize
76 5.8
to prepare for backlash
6.7
to anticipate
124 3.6

Surface Forms

prepare for backlash infinitive
prepared for backlash past
prepared for backlash past participle
preparing for backlash present participle
prepares for backlash third person singular

Morphology

prepare + for + backlash

The meaning 'to get ready to face strong negative reactions' is directly and compositionally derived from 'prepare' (make ready) + 'for' (in anticipation of) + 'backlash' (strong negative reaction). The verb + preposition + noun pattern is a standard, cross-linguistically common construction, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily understand this phrase.

Etymology

Prepare for backlash comes from the image of a whip whose lash swings back toward you, hitting the person who caused the first action. So, to prepare for backlash is to get ready for a 'strong negative reaction' that comes back at you.