barnburner
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. An extremely exciting or successful event, especially a sports contest or performance: A "barnburner" is an event that is exceptionally thrilling, intense, or impressive, often exceeding expectations. 2. A person who destroys property, such as a barn, for personal or political advantage: This historical usage refers to someone who takes radical or extreme action, often to make a point, even if it is self-destructive.
Usage Examples
As an exciting event:
- The championship game was an absolute barnburner, with the lead changing hands ten times.
- Her keynote speech at the conference was a real barnburner, leaving the entire audience energized.
As a radical person (historical/figurative):
- The politician was labeled a barnburner for his uncompromising and disruptive reform tactics.
- In the 19th century, the term was used for factionalists willing to "burn down" their own party to achieve their goals.
Advanced Usage
- "a real barnburner": A common intensifying phrase used to emphasize that an event was exceptionally good or thrilling.
- The final debate of the election season turned out to be a real barnburner.
Variants and Related Words
- Barn-burning (adjective): Used to describe something as extremely exciting, intense, or successful.
- The team is known for its barn-burning offensive plays.
Synonyms
- Thriller: An event, especially a game or contest, that is very exciting and suspenseful.
- Blockbuster: A great success, particularly in entertainment.
- Radical: A person who advocates for complete political or social reform (for the second meaning).
- Zealot: A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their ideals.
Related Idioms
- "Burn the house down": An idiom with a similar figurative sense of radical, all-or-nothing action for effect.
- He's willing to burn the house down to prove his point, much like a political barnburner.
Noun
- an impressively successful event
- the rock concert was a real barnburner
- someone who burns down a barn