repute

house of ill repute

euphemism A place where prostitutes are available for hire; a brothel. Please don't tell me that the media got a picture of the senator leaving a house of ill repute over the weekend. Though obviously in decline in recent years, houses of ill repute can still be found in the seedier parts of the city. A: "I've heard rumblings that Tom's new girlfriend used to work at a house of ill repute." B: "Whoa! Does he know that?"

See also: house, ill, of, repute

man of ill repute

euphemism A man who is dishonest, wicked, or immoral; a scoundrel or criminal. That John Grimsby is a man of ill repute, Timothy. It is best that you avoid him entirely. That dark place serves as the meeting ground for various men of ill repute from across the city.

See also: ill, man, of, repute

woman of ill repute

euphemism A female prostitute. The house is said to belong to a woman of ill repute. He has wasted thousands of dollars on gambling and women of ill repute.

See also: ill, of, repute, woman

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

house of ill repute

 and house of ill fame

Euph. a house of prostitution. The sign says "Health Club," but everyone knows it's a house of ill repute. He made a lot of money by running a house of ill fame.

See also: house, ill, of, repute

woman of ill repute

Euph. a prostitute. His favorite companion was a woman of ill repute. If you can't be faithful to your husband, you're no better than a woman of ill repute.

See also: ill, of, repute, woman

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.