receiving end

American  

noun

1. the position in which one is subject to some kind of action or effect, especially an unpleasant one (usually used in the phrase at oron the receiving end ).

   The corporation is on the receiving end of many complaints about its advertising.

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Etymology

Origin of receiving end

First recorded in 1930–35

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

receiving end

Zuckerberg and Meta have been on the receiving end of a lot of bad headlines over the years, many of them fully deserved.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026

While this difference might seem obvious when we’re on the receiving end of a request, it’s much less obvious when we’re the ones asking.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

Untethered from law and justice, overweening power becomes dangerous not only to those on its receiving end, but also to those who wield it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

England players were on the receiving end of a half-time reproach from manager Thomas Tuchel as their World Cup campaign got off to a victorious start against Croatia.

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

Scientists who’ve gone ahead with research involving the breast- cancer genes without Myriad’s permission have found themselves on the receiving end of cease-and-desist letters and threats of litigation.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

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