a deluge of condemnation
Meaning
An overwhelming and widespread outpouring of strong disapproval or criticism.
Origin
The word 'deluge' descends from the Latin diluvium, meaning 'a flood,' a term deeply embedded in ancient narratives like the Great Flood, where water consumed the entire world. This powerful, primal image of an unstoppable, overwhelming force of nature became a metaphor for anything arriving in massive, destructive quantities. When paired with 'condemnation,' the phrase crafts a vivid mental picture: not of literal water, but of an equally powerful, all-consuming wave of severe disapproval or criticism, evoking the sense of being utterly swamped by judgment with no hope of escape.
Examples
- After the scandal broke, the CEO faced a deluge of condemnation from shareholders and the public alike.
- The politician's controversial remarks were met with a deluge of condemnation from opposition parties and human rights groups.