public opinion
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: * The collective views, beliefs, or attitudes of the general population on a particular issue or topic. It represents the prevailing sentiment or judgment of the community or society as a whole.
Usage
- "Public opinion" is an uncountable noun. It is used to discuss the general mood or consensus of a populace.
- It is often analyzed in politics, media, and sociology to gauge societal trends or support for policies.
- Common collocations include:
Examples
- The government's new policy shifted public opinion on environmental regulations.
- Politicians are very sensitive to changes in public opinion.
- The scandal damaged the company's reputation in the court of public opinion.
- Public opinion on the issue remains deeply divided.
Advanced Usage
- "The court of public opinion": An idiom referring to the judgment of the general populace, as opposed to a legal court. It often implies trial by media or popular sentiment.
- Although he was found not guilty in court, he was convicted in the court of public opinion.
- "To shape/sway public opinion": To influence or change what the general public thinks about something.
- The campaign aimed to shape public opinion in favor of the new law.
Variants and Related Words
- Public sentiment (n): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "public opinion."
- Popular opinion (n): Emphasizes the opinion held by the majority of ordinary people.
- Consensus (n): General agreement among a group. While related, "consensus" focuses more on the agreement itself, whereas "public opinion" focuses on the collective view.
Synonyms
- Popular sentiment
- General opinion
- Collective view
- Prevailing view
Related Idioms
- "The voice of the people": A phrase synonymous with public opinion, emphasizing its democratic nature.
- The election results were seen as the voice of the people.
Noun
- a belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people
- he asked for a poll of public opinion