fling mud
To disparage someone, especially to the detriment of their reputation. I'm trying to maintain a fair and respectable campaign, and my opponent has no problem flinging mud! You're the one who messed up the budget, so don't fling mud at me! Once you're that famous, the tabloids just constantly fling mud.
sling mud
To disparage someone; to attempt to mar someone's reputation. I'm trying to maintain a fair and respectable campaign, but my opponent has no problem slinging mud! The radio presenter is known for slinging mud whenever he disagrees with a public figure.
throw mud
To disparage someone, especially to the detriment of their reputation. I'm trying to maintain a fair and respectable campaign, and my opponent has no problem throwing mud!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
sling mud
or throw mud
COMMON If one person slings mud or throws mud at another, they say bad things about them in an attempt to spoil their reputation. The elections have been straight personality contests, with the candidates slinging as much mud at their opponents as they can manage. The newspaper and magazine articles that followed were especially vicious, with supporters of both stars quick to throw mud. Note: You can describe this kind of behaviour as mud-slinging or mud-throwing. Labour and Tory chiefs have ordered an end to political mud-slinging. Note: These expressions are used to show disapproval.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
fling (or sling or throw) mud
make disparaging or scandalous remarks or accusations. informal The proverb throw dirt (or mud) enough, and some will stick , to which this phrase alludes, is attributed to the Florentine statesman Niccolò Machiavelli ( 1469–1527 ).
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
fling/sling/throw ˈmud (at somebody)
(informal) try to damage somebody’s reputation by telling other people bad things about them: Just before an election, politicians really start to sling mud at each other. ▶ ˈmud-slinging noun: There’s too much mud-slinging by irresponsible journalists.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017