Past tense of broadside; attacked on the side with heavy cannon fire, or figuratively criticized harshly and suddenly.
From 'broadside' (broad + side), originally a naval term where ships fired all cannons on one side simultaneously. Extended metaphorically to mean sudden, overwhelming criticism or attack.
The original broadside maneuver was devastating because wooden sailing ships' sides were vulnerable—one volley could splinter the hull, kill the crew, and sink you in minutes. The metaphor stuck because the impact was so catastrophic.
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