What does the phrase 'to give vent to (anger, lust etc); to take it out on sb' mean?
The phrase 'to give vent to (anger, lust etc); to take it out on sb' means to express or release strong emotions by directing them towards someone or something else. It is often used to describe someone who displaces their emotions onto others instead of dealing with them directly.
Meaning and Usage
The phrase 'to give vent to (anger, lust etc); to take it out on sb' is an idiomatic expression in English. It means to express or release strong emotions, such as anger or lust, by directing them towards someone or something else. It implies that the person is using another person or thing as a target for their emotions, rather than dealing with them directly. This phrase is often used to describe someone who is displacing their emotions onto someone else, rather than addressing the root cause of their feelings. It is important to note that this phrase is figurative and should not be taken literally. It is commonly used in spoken and written English.
Example:
After a long day at work, John gave vent to his frustration by yelling at his wife.