Phrase guide

give a bad name

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To cause people to lose respect, reverence or esteem for something or someone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The Spanish Inquisition gave all other government inquisitions a bad name, as far as common usage is concerned.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: discredit, dishonour, knock down to size, put someone in their place, abase, bring down to size, cut down to size, debase, defame, degrade, demean, demote, depress, disgrace, disparage, downgrade, embase, give a bad name, humble, humiliate, reduce, relegate, sink, slur, trim down to size, whittle down to size

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: donner une mauvaise réputation — to lose respect for something/someone
  • Italian: perdere rispetto — to lose respect for something/someone
  • Italian: disprezzare — to lose respect for something/someone
  • Norwegian: gi et dårlig rykte — to lose respect for something/someone
  • Swedish: ge ett dåligt rykte — to lose respect for something/someone