poison pen

plural poison pens

1. idiomaticA manner, means, or tone of expression had by a written work, characterized by spitefulness, defamation, and/or intimidation directed toward a person, organization, or point of view.

   Peter Isaacson continued his attack on Hearst and the poison pen of his editors.

   1936 August 31, “Maine Politics Afield”, in Lewiston Evening Journal, USA, retrieved 27 Aug 2010

   2 more examples

   After Mr. Rowland spoke, his wife, Patricia, delivered a spoof on the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas," that was a stinging sing-song rebuke of the news organizations that had reported on her husband's shortcomings and the widening federal investigation into his administration. Referring to the news media, she said: "They used to be good girls and boys, Santa said. But the poison pen's power has gone to their head."

   2003 December 17, Marc Santora, “Rowland Vows to Stay On as Governor”, in New York Times, retrieved 27 Aug 2010

   The centrepiece of her work was a weekly column that could brim with venom . . . . Cherie Blair, Geri Halliwell, Sarah Ferguson, Victoria Beckham and Princess Diana all found themselves the subjects of Lee-Potter's poison pen.

   2004 October 21, Matt Wells, “Lynda Lee-Potter, doyenne of columnists, dies”, in guardian.co.uk, retrieved 27 Aug 2010

2. attributivesometimes hyphenatedOf, pertaining to, or possessing such a manner of expression.

   He's been harsh, too, reacting with the swift kick of a poison-pen reviewer when he doesn't like what he sees on his stage.

   2004 August 24, Anthony McCarron, “Baseball in the Bronx playing like New York's greatest theater”, in New York Daily News, retrieved 27 Aug 2010

   2 more examples

   In a fair political fight in which neither side wishes to take unfair advantage of an opponent, last-minute poison-pen circulars should be banned.

   1938 November 5, “Editorial: Watch Out For The Poison Pen”, in The Afro-American, retrieved 27 Aug 2010, page 4

   This collection of garbage and guilt-by-association was slipped into the files of the White House personnel office last fall. . . . Who was responsible for the poison-pen attack? No one signed it, and no one has taken responsibility.

   1982 May 25, Anthony Lewis, “The poisoning of the well”, in St. Petersburg Times, retrieved 27 Aug 2010, page 10A