Name names
verb
To identify people who are involved in something, often in accusation or blame.
The witness was afraid to name names for fear of retaliation.
Often appears as...
- not willing to name names
- afraid to name names
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To provide specific details or information, usually about someone's wrongdoings.
He knew about the corruption but wouldn't name names.
Often appears as...
- won't name names
- ready to name names
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To reveal personal information about others, usually in a malicious or harmful way.
Throughout the trial, he was asked to name names of his accomplices.
Often appears as...
- asked to name names
- forced to name names
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To identify people who are involved in something, often in accusation or blame.
The witness was afraid to name names for fear of retaliation.
Often appears as...
- not willing to name names
- afraid to name names
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To provide specific details or information, usually about someone's wrongdoings.
He knew about the corruption but wouldn't name names.
Often appears as...
- won't name names
- ready to name names
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To reveal personal information about others, usually in a malicious or harmful way.
Throughout the trial, he was asked to name names of his accomplices.
Often appears as...
- asked to name names
- forced to name names
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Fear of Retaliation
The phrase often signifies the speaker's fear of consequences if they reveal identities.
She wouldn’t name names, worried about backlash from her colleagues.
Pro Tip 2/3Legal Implications
It may be used in legal contexts where witnesses may incriminate others.
Under oath, he contemplated whether to name names.
Pro Tip 3/3Whistleblowing
This phrase is common when someone exposes wrongdoing within an organization.
After the scandal, employees were hesitant to name names.
Pro Tip 1/3Fear of Retaliation
The phrase often signifies the speaker's fear of consequences if they reveal identities.
She wouldn’t name names, worried about backlash from her colleagues.
Pro Tip 2/3Legal Implications
It may be used in legal contexts where witnesses may incriminate others.
Under oath, he contemplated whether to name names.
Pro Tip 3/3Whistleblowing
This phrase is common when someone exposes wrongdoing within an organization.
After the scandal, employees were hesitant to name names.
Pro Tip 1/3Fear of Retaliation
The phrase often signifies the speaker's fear of consequences if they reveal identities.
She wouldn’t name names, worried about backlash from her colleagues.
Pro Tip 2/3Legal Implications
It may be used in legal contexts where witnesses may incriminate others.
Under oath, he contemplated whether to name names.
Pro Tip 3/3Whistleblowing
This phrase is common when someone exposes wrongdoing within an organization.
After the scandal, employees were hesitant to name names.
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