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Processed with VS1Learn the verb and noun “boycott,” plus useful language about consumer choices and public rejection.
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Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThe episode traces “boycott” to an Irish land agent whose community used peaceful economic pressure in a dispute over rent and eviction. Today, people may boycott a business or product to call for change. The lesson distinguishes the action from the noun for an organized period of refusal.
Cultural note: The article describes a specific conflict under British rule in Ireland; do not generalize its history to every tenant or land dispute. A boycott is a form of protest, and people may disagree about whether a particular boycott is effective or fair.
Keep exploringA surname became a common word. Learn how to use “boycott” as both an action and an organized protest.
Phrase guide · 4 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Name the action and the organized campaign.
Meaning
Refuse to buy from, use, or take part in something as a form of protest.
Tone & use
Can be used as a verb or noun. State the target clearly; people may choose a boycott for social, political, or economic reasons.
Example
“Some customers decided to boycott the store until it changed its return policy.”
Meaning
An organized refusal to buy or use goods or services until a change is made.
Tone & use
The noun often names the campaign or period of protest. It does not necessarily mean that every person in a community participates.
Example
“The union called for a one-week boycott of the company’s products.”
Recognition caution
Meaning
Reject or stop supporting a person or group.
Tone & use
Often figurative and can sound severe. In the source story it describes community rejection; for everyday disagreement, name the specific action instead.
Example
“The club did not turn its back on new members; it offered them extra practice and support.”
Can suggest abandonment or rejection. Avoid using it to dramatize a minor disagreement.
Describe how customers can influence a company.
Meaning
The influence people have through the products and services they choose to buy.
Tone & use
Often used when discussing consumers and business decisions. It describes potential influence, not a guarantee that a company will change.
Example
“Customers used their buying power to support the neighborhood shop.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
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