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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

receiving end

But more often, people on the receiving end just feel like something is . . . off.

From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2026

While many hyperscalers are cutting down their stock-buyback activity in the wake of heightened AI spending, Nvidia is on the receiving end of those AI dollars and could dole some more out to shareholders.

From MarketWatch ● May 17, 2026

People on the receiving end of misfires are freaking out, when they aren’t cracking up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 5, 2026

Borenstein concluded his post noting the Oscar “never arrived” in Frankfurt, Germany, and speculated whether his co-director was on the receiving end of unfair treatment.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

And if I’m occasionally on the receiving end of it then I guess I have to put up with it.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler