Give a dog a bad name
phrase
To damage someone's reputation through false accusations or slander.
John started spreading rumors about Steve at school, really trying to give a dog a bad name.
Often appears as...
- to unfairly give a dog a bad name
- to falsely give a dog a bad name
Usage tips
Disapproving
idiomatic
phrase
To decide one doesn't like something or someone based on a single negative experience.
After she failed one mathematics test, her teacher assumed she was bad at math - talk about giving a dog a bad name.
Often appears as...
- to wrongly give a dog a bad name
- to hastily give a dog a bad name
Usage tips
Disapproving
idiomatic
phrase
To damage someone's reputation through false accusations or slander.
John started spreading rumors about Steve at school, really trying to give a dog a bad name.
Often appears as...
- to unfairly give a dog a bad name
- to falsely give a dog a bad name
Usage tips
Disapproving
idiomatic
phrase
To decide one doesn't like something or someone based on a single negative experience.
After she failed one mathematics test, her teacher assumed she was bad at math - talk about giving a dog a bad name.
Often appears as...
- to wrongly give a dog a bad name
- to hastily give a dog a bad name
Usage tips
Disapproving
idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase is often used metaphorically to discuss reputation, not actual dogs.
Once you give a dog a bad name, it's hard to clear it.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Emotion
Using this phrase implies a strong negative emotion towards the action of harming reputation.
He didn't just criticize her; he gave the poor girl a dog's bad name.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Consequences
The phrase emphasizes the long-term social damage of rumors or slander.
In our small community, to give a dog a bad name is to ruin someone's social standing.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase is often used metaphorically to discuss reputation, not actual dogs.
Once you give a dog a bad name, it's hard to clear it.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Emotion
Using this phrase implies a strong negative emotion towards the action of harming reputation.
He didn't just criticize her; he gave the poor girl a dog's bad name.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Consequences
The phrase emphasizes the long-term social damage of rumors or slander.
In our small community, to give a dog a bad name is to ruin someone's social standing.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase is often used metaphorically to discuss reputation, not actual dogs.
Once you give a dog a bad name, it's hard to clear it.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Emotion
Using this phrase implies a strong negative emotion towards the action of harming reputation.
He didn't just criticize her; he gave the poor girl a dog's bad name.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Consequences
The phrase emphasizes the long-term social damage of rumors or slander.
In our small community, to give a dog a bad name is to ruin someone's social standing.
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