Meaning of bearbaiting | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A blood sport in which dogs are set upon a chained bear
   countable, uncountable
2. A bloodthirsty free for all.
   countable, figuratively, uncountable

Examples

“But bearbaiting, then a favourite diversion of high and low, was the abomination which most strongly stirred the wrath of the austere sectaries.”

“By this the whole matter⟳ had presented itself to them as an entertainment more diverting than bullfight or bearbaiting.”

“All of these pivoted on the larger Problems: Not only how the press⟳ should discuss⟳ sexual morality of public officials but whether this ever should be a measure⟳ of fitness for public office; not only how the local press⟳ will allow⟳ its judgment to be pre-empted or conditioned by the Washington press⟳, but also how news judgments, always contagious, can degenerate into bear⟳ baiting.”

“But that's not the worst part of the phenomenon that the press⟳ conference bearbaiting illustrates.”

“...recalls a typical scene of bear-baiting, the news-hounds tearing away at her flesh with those sex-hungry looks and sexually inquisitive questions.”

“Granted, it wasn't that much of a reach⟳ to line up panels of Wal-Mart gross-outs for that bearbaiting audience of hers to hoot and gibber at; and it's also true that her guests, more than those on other shows, do routinely show⟳ up for the taping in outfits so grotesque they can turn⟳ unwary spectators to stone.”

“He would pause outside the courtroom just long enough to give⟳ the TV press⟳ five minutes of crazed rhetoric for the Evening News, then he would shepherd his equally crazed 'clients' into the courtroom for their daily war-circus with the Judge⟳. When you get⟳ into bear⟳ baiting on that level, paranoia is just another word for ignorance. ... They really are out to get⟳ you.”

“Tyson took the hint and stood up in his brash white suit⟳. He waved lamely and accepted questions from a group of people which the New York Daily News ridiculed as 'sycophants and psycho fans'. It made a change⟳ from the usual bear-baiting boxing-press jamborees in Vegas.”

CEFR level