A sudden growth of public feeling or support for something is often called a groundswell.
[journalism]
There is undoubtedly a groundswell of support for the idea of a strong central authority. [+ of]
The groundswell of opinion is in favour of a referendum. [+ of]
groundswell in British English
(ˈɡraʊndˌswɛl)
noun
1.
a considerable swell of the sea, often caused by a distant storm or earthquake or by the passage of waves into shallow water
2.
a strong public feeling or opinion that is detectable even though not openly expressed
a groundswell of discontent
groundswell in American English
(ˈgraʊndˌswɛl)
noun
1.
a violent swelling or rolling of the ocean, caused by a distant storm or earthquake
2.
a rapidly growing wave of popular sentiment, opinion, etc.
Examples of 'groundswell' in a sentence
groundswell
To part company with him forms the groundswell of opinion.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There will be a huge groundswell of support and sympathy.
The Sun (2013)
Yet there is a groundswell of opinion that this is going to be a match of rare vintage.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
At present there does not appear to be a groundswell of support for what would amount to a revolution.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
As a result, there has been a huge groundswell of support.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It might genuinely be called a groundswell of support, and should give one pause.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Clearly, there was no great groundswell of support for them in the game.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The protest was the first open demonstration of discontent with the groundswell of anti-government frustration growing through social media sites.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I think there's a huge groundswell of opinion regarding my next career move.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He was doing me a favor, he said, letting me know the groundswell of opinion.
Christianity Today (2000)
She said that the judges had failed to take into account the huge groundswell of support their family had received since the court hearing in June.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is a groundswell of English support for Holland.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Yet, whisper it softly, there is a groundswell of support for extending government control to other parts of the railway.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Given such a groundswell of popular support, it may be little wonder that powerful forces in Westminster have endorsed the project.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But because of the groundswell of opinion since we were given consent, we have decided to withdraw our plans, and will now consider alternative options.