round on
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To suddenly turn around and shout at or criticise someone in an angry way.
Literal meaning: To turn in a circle to face someone — the physical image is of wheeling around to confront.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To suddenly attack or criticise someone verbally, especially after a period of restraint.
"When the journalist asked a third provocative question, the politician rounded on him angrily."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1 neutral
Of an animal: to suddenly turn and attack a person or other animal.
"The dog rounded on the stranger who had entered the yard."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Always followed by a person (the target). Most commonly used in journalistic and literary writing. Implies the attack is somewhat sudden and unexpected — the subject pivots to confront someone. More common in British English.
Commonly used with
critics opponents journalists colleagues questioner press
Forms
Base
round on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rounds on
he/she/it
Past simple
rounded on
yesterday
Past participle
rounded on
have + pp
-ing form
rounding on
continuous
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