aspersion

cast aspersions

To talk negatively or unflatteringly about someone or something. I'm sorry to cast aspersions on Julie, but her work ethic is really terrible. She hasn't handed one assignment in on time! Bill says that he doesn't want to cast aspersions on anyone, but he still talks badly about us all the time!

See also: aspersion, cast

cast aspersions on (someone or something)

To talk negatively or unflatteringly about someone or something. I'm sorry to cast aspersions on Julie, but her work ethic is really terrible. She hasn't handed one assignment in on time. Bill says that he doesn't want to cast aspersions on anyone, but he still talks badly about us all the time!

See also: aspersion, cast, on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

cast aspersions on someone

to make a rude and insulting remark. I resent your casting aspersions on my brother and his ability! It is rude to cast aspersions on people in general.

See also: aspersion, cast, on

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

cast aspersions, to

To make a derogatory or highly critical remark, either fairly or, more often, unfairly. An older meaning of the verb “to asperse” is to sprinkle or scatter, and “aspersion” itself once meant a shower or spray. The full phrase is newer, but we find the same meaning in Sheridan’s play, The Rivals (1775), in which Mrs. Malaprop complains bitterly of “an attack upon my language! . . . an aspersion upon my parts of speech” (3:3).

See also: cast

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer