: Candidates often "hurl brickbats" at one another during heated debates.
: A poorly received play or movie might be greeted with "brickbats" from critics. brickbat
: Many publications have historically used "Brickbats and Bouquets" sections to categorize reader feedback as either critical or complimentary. Examples of Usage : Candidates often "hurl brickbats" at one another
Over time, the physical act of "hurling brickbats" transitioned into the realm of rhetoric. Just as a physical brickbat was intended to strike an opponent, a verbal brickbat is intended to wound a person's reputation or ego. Common contemporary uses include: brickbat