lightning rod

American  

noun

1. a rodlike conductor installed to divert lightning away from a structure by providing a direct path to the ground.

2. a person or thing that attracts and absorbs powerful and especially negative or hostile feelings, opinions, etc., thereby diverting such feelings from other targets.

   The unpopular supervisor served as a lightning rod for the criticism that should have been aimed at management.

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lightning rod Scientific  

1. A grounded metal rod placed high on a structure to conduct electrical current from a lightning strike directly to the ground, preventing the currents from injuring people or animals or from damaging objects. Lightning rods usually have a sharp, pointed tip, since electric lines of force are more highly concentrated around pointed objects, in this case increasing the attractiveness of the rod compared with other nearby objects.

2. See also Saint Elmo's fire

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Etymology

Origin of lightning rod

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90

Example Sentences

Not only is Shriver herself a lightning rod, but “A Better Life” is a novel about a torpedo of an issue: immigration.

From The Wall Street Journal

No matter what you think of Pratt, an unapologetic lightning rod who stubbornly defies categorization, you can’t argue his entertainment value.

From Los Angeles Times

Its runaway popularity made it a lightning rod for debate and controversy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lopez: From the very beginning, for whatever reason, I’ve been a lightning rod for nice things and a lot of negativity.

From Los Angeles Times

As a rookie in 2023, Johnston was a lightning rod for ridicule on social media for his inconsistent performances — particularly drops — with many expecting more from a former first-round pick.

From Los Angeles Times