voice in the wilderness
A person, publication, or other source of assertions that expresses an opinion, doctrine, or point of view which is ignored or rejected by almost all others; the actual utterance of an unpopular opinion, doctrine, or point of view.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He felt like a voice in the wilderness when he warned about the danger.”
“The scientist was a voice in the wilderness for years before the public finally accepted her findings on climate change.”
“Despite his status as a renowned expert, his warnings about the economic collapse remained a voice in the wilderness, ignored by both the government and the financial markets.”
The phrase originates in the Biblical accounts of John the Baptist, specifically appearing in the Gospel of Mark 1:2–4. In the King James Version, the text reads: "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."
John was recorded as baptizing in the wilderness while issuing this call. The image provided is one of solitary proclamation in a desolate environment, intended as a precursor to the arrival of the Lord.
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find one's voice
To become willing or able to talk or otherwise express one's opinions.
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good voice to beg bacon
An unpleasant-sounding voice.
- 03
hear voices
Have the experience of hearing voices which are not audible to others; to experience auditory hallucinations.
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keep one's voice down
To hush or speak; softly or quietly.
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like the sound of one's own voice
To talk a lot.
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raise one's voice
To speak loudly, especially in anger.
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throw one's voice
to make one’s voice appear to come from somewhere else
Last updated August 10, 2026