Get good reception
Meaning
To be well-received or to have one's ideas or actions met with approval and understanding.
Origin
The phrase "get good reception" finds its roots in the early days of radio and television broadcasting. As these new technologies swept across homes in the early to mid-20th century, the quality of the "reception"—the strength and clarity of the incoming signal—was paramount to enjoying the programs. A fuzzy picture or static-filled sound meant "bad reception," while a clear broadcast was "good reception." This literal technical term, describing how well a signal was received by a device, quickly broadened its scope. It became a vivid metaphor for how well an idea, a performance, or a person was accepted or approved of by an audience, seamlessly transitioning from the airwaves to the broader social sphere.
Examples
- The new policy didn't get good reception from the employees, leading to immediate pushback.
- Her innovative proposal actually got good reception from the notoriously skeptical board, much to her surprise.