brunt

Everyday

1. The worst part or the main force of something bad, such as an attack, a storm or blame. tree →
2. To bear (or take) the brunt of something means to suffer the most from it. tree →

In the lessons

Almost always heard in the phrases «bear the brunt of», «take the brunt of», «the full brunt of». Used in news, history and stories when one person or place suffers most: the coast took the brunt of the storm. In stories it tells the reader who suffered most or who was blamed.

Examples

• The small village bore the brunt of the storm. tree →
• The front of the car took the brunt of the crash. tree →
• Mum took the brunt of the work when Dad was ill. tree →
• The goalkeeper bore the brunt of the blame for the loss. tree →
• Our tent faced the brunt of the wind. tree →
• The soldiers at the front took the full brunt of the attack. tree →
• Toad's friends bore the brunt of his silly adventures. tree →
• The east side of the house takes the brunt of the weather. tree →

Note

Uncountable; always «the brunt», never «a brunt» and no plural. Used with «of»: the brunt of the storm. Not the same as «grunt» or «blunt».