at the receiving end
Taking the blow
At the receiving end describes being the target or recipient of something, usually something unpleasant—criticism, anger, punishment, or aggression: I was at the receiving end of his temper.
The phrase implies passivity or vulnerability, positioned where incoming force lands rather than where it originates.
- criticismJudgment of faults
- under fireBeing attacked or criticized
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- on the hookBearing responsibility for something
- injuryPhysical or psychological harm
harsh words · conflict · exposure · harm · feedback · argument · victimhood · short end of the stick · brunt · risk · retaliation · helplessness · guilt · humiliation · target · acknowledgment · reply · notification
at the receiving endon the offensive
initiating · dispensing · administering · meting out · doling out
at the receiving endmeting out
Distributing in portions
inflicting · administering · doling out · perpetrating · on the offensive
receive, receiving, received, receiver, receivers, receipt, receipts, reception, receptions