barnstorm

present singular third person barnstorms · participle present barnstorming · participle past barnstormed · past barnstormed

1. intransitiveTo travel around the countryside making political speeches etc.

   A pair of red boxing gloves dangles in the cabin of John N. Turner's plane as he barnstorms across Canada campaigning for the general election Nov. 21.

   1988 July 11, John F. Burns, “Once on the Ropes, Canadian Liberal Surges Back”, in The New York Times

   1 more example

   A day after the end of an often contentious Republican State Convention, the party's endorsed candidates for governor and lieutenant governor barnstormed across the state today, talking with reporters, meeting supporters and chanting their campaign mantra: "It's Mario Cuomo's fault."

   1994 May 27, James Dao, “Republican Candidates Barnstorm, Outlining Platform”, in The New York Times

2. USintransitiveTo appear at fairs and carnivals in exhibitions of stunt flying, sporting events, or theater.
3. USintransitivehobbiesOf a sports team, to travel from town to town performing in front of small crowds.

   He also noted that “we’re in the business of promoting the game” in the United States, which is a task surely helped by the national team’s barnstorming persona.

   2013 June 17, Sam Borden, “To U.S. Soccer Team, Home Field Is an Ever-Changing Thing”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

plural barnstorms

1. A series of appearances in small country towns, as by a politician or a travelling theatre group.