a blot on the escutcheon
a blot on the escutcheon
A stain or mark against one's reputation or that of one's family. An escutcheon was a heraldic shield that bore a family's coat of arms, and thus serves as a metaphor for one's honor. I was at the top of my class in college, but that narcotics charge will be a blot on the escutcheon for years to come.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
a blot on the escutcheon
something that tarnishes your reputation.An escutcheon was a family's heraldic shield, and so also a record and symbol of its honour.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
a blot on the escutcheon
bringing dishonor or shame to oneself and one's family. “Escutcheon” is the heraldic term for the shield on which a family's coat of arms is painted. One with a blot, in the sense of blemish, would look as though there were something wrong, which is what The phrase is meant to convey. When Uncle Fred was hauled off to jail for embezzlement, he not only disgraced himself, he brought shame to his wife, his children, and any living parents. His crime was thus a metaphorical blot on the family escutcheon.
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price Copyright © 2011 by Steven D. Price