a bad rap
a bad rap
1. A negative or unfavorable reputation. I seem to have gotten a bad rap after coming in late so many times.
2. A criminal charge that is undeserved. I think Paulie got a bad rap and never actually committed the crimes they're accusing him of.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
bad rap
1. n. a false criminal charge. (Underworld. The same as bum rap.) Freddy got stuck with a bad rap.
2. n. unjustified criticism. Butter has been getting sort of a bad rap lately.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.