bear the brunt

Short definition: The phrase bear the brunt means to suffer the main or worst part of something unpleasant, such as damage, criticism, or responsibility, while others are less affected, taking the greatest impact of a difficult situation.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the phrase bear the brunt? This phrase is common in news, workplace talk, and everyday conversations about responsibility and impact. To bear the brunt means taking the main force of something unpleasant, such as criticism, blame, or damage. You will often hear it when talking about problems, conflicts, or difficult situations. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, with long definitions and realistic examples.

bear the brunt idiom /beər ðə brʌnt/

Forms: bear the brunt (fixed idiom)
Related: endure v., suffer v., impact n.
Syllable: bear the brunt

  1. (Idiom) To take the main force or greatest impact of something unpleasant or harmful.

    To bear the brunt means being the one who suffers the most when something bad happens. This can include criticism, blame, damage, pressure, or negative consequences. The phrase suggests that others are affected less, while one person or group carries most of the burden. It is commonly used in serious or explanatory contexts.

    Small businesses bore the brunt of the economic downturn.
    Frontline workers often bear the brunt of public frustration during crises.
    She bore the brunt of the criticism even though the decision was not hers alone.

    Synonyms: take the hardest hit, suffer the most, endure the worst, carry the burden, absorb the impact, face the main damage, take the blow, shoulder the load, receive the worst effects, be hardest hit, carry the weight, face the consequences
    Antonyms: avoid impact, escape damage, be spared, suffer less, avoid blame, share the burden lightly, dodge consequences, remain unaffected, be protected, take it easy, avoid harm, feel minimal effect

  2. (Idiom) To receive most of the blame or criticism for a problem or failure.

    Bear the brunt can also focus specifically on blame rather than physical or practical harm. In this sense, it means being criticized more than others involved in the same situation. The person may not be fully responsible, but still receives most of the negative attention. This usage is common in workplaces, politics, and team settings.

    The manager bore the brunt of the complaints after the project failed.
    He ended up bearing the brunt of the blame for a group mistake.
    Public officials often bear the brunt of anger during difficult decisions.

    Synonyms: take the blame, receive most criticism, face backlash, be blamed heavily, absorb criticism, become the target, take the heat, face public anger, shoulder responsibility, receive negative attention, be singled out, draw criticism
    Antonyms: avoid blame, shift responsibility, escape criticism, be praised, receive support, share blame evenly, be defended, avoid attention, receive approval, gain sympathy, be protected, be excused

An Explanation of the Word "bear the brunt" in an Image

Colorful landscape cartoon illustration of the idiom bear the brunt, featuring a bear hit by falling rubble to represent taking the main impact or suffering the worst part of a situation.
A dramatic cartoon illustration explaining the idiom “bear the brunt,” showing a bear taking the full impact of falling debris while others stand aside, symbolizing receiving the main force of damage, blame, or hardship.

Conversation Using the Idiom Bear the brunt

During a debriefing after a difficult customer service week, Liam and Chloe discuss the challenges of frontline work. The conversation highlights the idiom bear the brunt, which means to receive the worst or strongest part of an unpleasant situation, such as an attack, a criticism, or a physical force.

Liam: The support team had to bear the brunt of the customers' anger after the website went down for six hours.

Chloe: It’s unfair that the people who didn't cause the problem have to bear the brunt of the complaints every time.

Liam: I read that coastal towns often bear the brunt of the damage when a major hurricane moves inland from the ocean.

Chloe: I noticed that the small businesses in our area had to bear the brunt of the economic slowdown last year.

Liam: If the new policy fails, it’s the middle managers who will likely bear the brunt of the blame from the executives.

Chloe: We need to stand together so that a single person doesn't have to bear the brunt of the entire project's failure.

Liam: I saw the older buildings bear the brunt of the earthquake, while the newer ones remained relatively untouched.

Chloe: It’s a tough position to be in; nobody wants to be the one who has to bear the brunt of a difficult transition.

Liam: I’m glad the manager recognized that we had to bear the brunt of the workload while the others were on vacation.

Chloe: I agree; it feels better when people acknowledge who actually had to bear the brunt of the stress to get the job done.

Phrases Containing the Expression Bear the Brunt

The phrases below show how the expression bear the brunt is used to describe taking the main impact, responsibility, or negative effects in a difficult situation.

Bear the brunt

To suffer the main impact.

During the crisis, frontline workers bore the brunt while others were able to work safely from home.

Bear the brunt of criticism

To receive most of the negative feedback.

The spokesperson bore the brunt of criticism even though the decision was made by the entire committee.

Bear the brunt of the blame

To be blamed the most.

Although several departments failed, one manager unfairly bore the brunt of the blame.

Bear the brunt of budget cuts

To be most affected by reduced funding.

Public schools bore the brunt of budget cuts, forcing teachers to manage larger classes with fewer resources.

Bear the brunt of the workload

To handle most of the work.

She bore the brunt of the workload while her teammates were reassigned to other projects.

Bear the brunt of pressure

To experience the most stress.

New managers often bear the brunt of pressure as they try to prove themselves.

Bear the brunt of the storm

To face the strongest physical impact.

Coastal villages bore the brunt of the storm as powerful winds and flooding hit overnight.

Bear the brunt of change

To be most affected by transitions.

Employees bore the brunt of change after the company announced a major restructuring.

Bear the brunt of responsibility

To carry most duties.

As team leader, he bore the brunt of responsibility when deadlines were missed.

Bear the brunt of consequences

To face the main results of an action.

Lower-income families often bear the brunt of consequences when prices rise.

Words Rhyme with bear the brunt

care the hunt
fair the punt
dare the front
share the stunt
tear the shunt
wear the blunt
stare the punt
glare the front
spare the hunt
rare the stunt
brunt
front
hunt
punt
stunt
shunt
blunt
grunt
frontage
confront
affront
upfront
beachfront
storefront
forefront
amount
account
discount
surmount
recount
POS: Verb Phrase