give a bad name to (someone or something)
To tarnish the reputation of a general class of person or thing (such as an occupation) through one's poor behavior. I can't believe how little you care about your students! Boy, you give a bad name to teachers! I'm sorry your doctor just dismissed your symptoms like that. I would say he gives a bad name to doctors, but sadly, this sort of behavior is kind of the norm. That famous drummer doesn't drink or party at all? Wow, he gives a bad name to rock stars!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
give a bad name to
Also, give someone or something a bad name . Spoil the reputation of, as in Late deliveries are giving the company a bad name. The use of bad name (sometimes put as ill name) dates from about 1400, and the proverb "He that hath a ill name is half hanged" was included in numerous collections from 1546 on.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
give a bad name to, to
To speak ill of someone or something in order to give it a bad reputation. This term comes from the proverb, “Give a dog an ill name and hang him,” quoted in James Kelly’s collection of Scottish proverbs (1721). It has been a cliché since about 1800.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer