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call someone names

to use impolite or unpleasant words to describe someone. I was afraid that if I wore glasses to school, the other kids would call me names. It's a good thing he didn't hear me earlier - I was calling him all the names under the sun. (= using a lot of impolite words to describe him)

See also: call

clear someone's name

to prove that someone is not guilty of something. He was convicted of drug-smuggling four years ago and has been trying to clear his name ever since.

See also: clear

drag someone's name through the mire/mud

to tell people about something bad that someone has done so that people will have a bad opinion of them. Her name was dragged through the mud after she admitted offering money in return for votes.

See also: drag, mud, through

give something/someone a bad name

to cause people to lose respect for something or someone. A few badly behaved football fans give all football supporters a bad name.

See also: bad, give

have a bad name

give something/someone a bad name - to cause people to lose respect for something or someone. Foreign aid has a bad name because it often fails to help the people most in need.

See also: bad

have someone's name on it (informal)

if something has your name on it, it is the type of thing that you like very much and so you have to buy, eat, or drink it. Come on, Paul, there's one piece of chocolate cake left and it's got your name on it.

have someone's name written all over it (informal)

if a job has someone's name written all over it, they have all the qualifications that are needed for that job. You've got to apply for this job. It's got your name written all over it.

See also: all, over, written

have/see your name in lights (informal)

to be famous for your work in film, theatre, music etc.. She accepted the few badly-paid roles she was offered and continued to dream of seeing her name in lights.

See also: lights, see

I can't put a name to her/him.

something that you say when you cannot remember someone's name. I can picture his face exactly but I can't put a name to him.

See also: can't, her

in all but name

if a situation exists in all but name, it exists although it is not officially described that way. They'd been living together for over ten years. It was a marriage in all but name.

See also: all, but

in name only

if something exists in name only, it is officially described in a particular way, although that description is not really true. Two-thirds of the population are Catholic, though many are so in name only.

See also: only

in the name of something

if bad things are done in the name of something, they are done in order to help that thing succeed. When you think about the atrocities that have been committed in the name of religion, you start to wonder what it's all about.

make a name for yourself

to become famous or respected by a lot of people. It was with his third novel, 'The Darkest Hours', that he made a name for himself.

someone's name is mud (informal)

if someone's name is mud, other people are angry with that person because of something they have done or said. Well he'd better turn up tonight or his name will be mud.

See also: mud

name names

to tell people who is involved in a secret or illegal activity. He wouldn't name names but has promised that the accusations will be fully investigated.

the name of the game

the most important part of an activity, or the quality that you most need for that activity. You have to know the right people in acting. That's the name of the game.

See also: game

name the day

to announce when you plan to do something important, especially get married. Have you and Chris named the day yet?

See also: day

a name to conjure with

1. a very important and famous name. There are some names to conjure with on the programme - Poland's Polanski and India's Satyajit Ray to name but two.

2. an interesting or strange name. Arnold Spunkmeyer - now that's a name to conjure with!

name-calling

call someone names - to use impolite or unpleasant words to describe someone. If you think about all that name-calling that goes on in school playgrounds, kids can be very cruel.

take someone's name in vain (humorous)

to say someone's name when they are not there, usually when you are criticizing them. Did I hear someone taking my name in vain?

See also: take, vain

you name it

something that you say which means anything you say or choose. I've tried just about every diet there is going, you name it and I've done it. What would you like? Gin, vodka, lager, wine? You name it, we've got it.

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by the name (of)

known as. The teacher that I enjoyed the most in high school was a man by the name of Don Feinstein.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form go by the name of: Francie goes by the name Franchita.

call someone names

to use rude or insulting words to describe someone. He was calling me names because he disagreed with something I'd written.

See also: call

clear your name

to prove you are not guilty of something. Mitch said the charges were completely untrue and promised he would clear his name.

See also: clear

give something a bad name

to cause a loss of respect for something. A few wild fans give soccer a bad name.

See also: bad, give

in all but name

very like something that is called something different. He may call himself a liberal but he's actually a conservative in all but name.

See also: all, but

in heaven's name

of all possible things. What in heaven's name are we doing here?

Usage notes: usually used with why, what, where, or how

in someone's name

representing someone. She established a clinic in the name of her daughter, who died several years ago. A $5 million gift in Steve Perkins's name will be made to the University of Maine.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the forms in God's name or in heaven's name for emphasis: Why in God's name would you speak to a man like that?

in name only

having a particular title without the power or duties that are a part of it. He was my father in name only – I never saw him while I was growing up.

See also: only

in the name of something

in order to do or become something. In the name of being cool and serious, people miss out on a lot of enjoyable stuff. Are we willing to be worked to death in the name of competition?

make a name for yourself

to become well known and respected for doing something in particular. She would have done well in any sport, but Virginia ended up making a name for herself in soccer. The French director made his name in the 1980s with off-beat movies.

your name in lights

to be famous and have your work recognized as especially important. He was never interested in seeing his name in lights – he was always too busy having fun.

Usage notes: also used with see: I want to see my name in lights for writing this book!

Etymology: based on the brightly lit signs used to advertise the names of the most important actors in a show

See also: lights

name names

to say who is doing something bad or illegal. She swears she will never name names, even if she were offered a reward.

the name of the game

the most important activity. The name of the game for many companies is to get the most work out of the fewest people.

See also: game

you name it

anything. There's plenty to do here – you can hike, bike, camp, canoe, you name it. As a messenger I've delivered classified documents, videotapes, bottles of liquor, candy, coffee makers, you name it.