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

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

As a single, childless woman, I’ve also been on the receiving end of some petty remarks about how “easy” my life must be because I don’t have any “real” responsibilities.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026

In the same part of town, called Chacao, the Interim President, Delcy Rodriguez, took a tour with the mayor and was on the receiving end of residents' ire.

From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026

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

From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2026

His eyes gleamed when he said that and I liked being on the receiving end of that look.

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini

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