PhrasesHub

Name is mud

    Definitions

      • tarnish someone's reputation
        to indicate that someone's reputation or standing has been damaged or disgraced, often due to a specific event or action

    Examples of Name is mud

    • Sarah's reputation is currently in shambles, and it seems like the phrase "name is mud" could not be more appropriate. Her dishonest actions have left a bad taste in people's mouths, and her name has become synonymous with disrepute.

      When someone's name is mud, it means their reputation is severely damaged and they are widely regarded as dishonest or disreputable. The phrase originated from the days when mud was sold as a cheap cleaning agent, and people in the mud trade had a poor reputation due to their low social status and supposedly dishonest practices.

    • After the revelation of John's embezzlement, everyone in the office is avoiding him like the plague. His name is mud, and he has become a pariah in our workplace.

      "Avoiding someone like the plague" is a colloquial phrase that means avoiding someone intensely. In this context, it suggests that people are actively trying to distance themselves from the person whose name is mud.

    • Despite all the evidence against him, the judge gave Kevin a clean slate and cleared his name, which was once as mud as it could be.

      When someone's name is cleared, it means their reputation has been restored and their innocence has been proven. In this example, the phrase "name is mud" is used to describe the state of Kevin's reputation at the start of the situation.

    • Many politicians' names are mud these days, with so many scandals and accusations surrounding them.

      "Many politicians' names are mud" means that several politicians' reputations have been badly damaged due to various scandals and accusations. The phrase is used to express the widespread and negative perception of these public figures.

    • Jane's reputation is at an all-time low after her involvement in the scandal. In local circles, her name is mud.

      This idiom refers to when someone's reputation has been ruined and they are regarded with disgust and contempt. Being "in the mud" is a metaphorical way to describe being in a dirty or disreputable state. In this context, it means that Jane's name has been associated with negative and disgraceful actions, leaving her with a damaged reputation.

    • The company's name has become synonymous with poor customer service, and now it's mud.

      This example conveys the idea that the negative reputation associated with the company's name has become so severe that it is now associated with a derogatory term. The company's actions have tainted their reputation in a way that has become an accepted, widely known fact in the community.

    • Tom's name came up during our discussion, but we quickly changed the topic since he's been in hot water lately, and his name is mud.

      This example highlights how the idiom can be utilized in everyday conversation. It implies that a particular person's reputation is so poor and repugnant that discussing them isn't desirable since it's a distressing topic.

    • John's name was once well-respected, but after his recent scandal, it's now mud.

      This final example demonstrates how the idiom can be employed to point out how reputation is easily lost. It implies that someone who was previously regarded in high esteem can quickly lose that goodwill due to reprehensible or dubious actions, leaving them with a damaged reputation.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Name is mud" is used to express that someone's reputation has been negatively affected or tarnished. It is often used to convey the idea that the person's standing in the eyes of others has been diminished due to a particular action or event.

    Origin of "Name is mud"

    The origin of the phrase "Name is mud" is believed to stem from the 19th century American slang. The term "mud" was used as a metaphor for something dirty, undesirable, or unclean. This idiom likely originated during a time when mud was associated with filth and impurity, and it became a common expression to refer to a person whose reputation had been sullied. Over time, the phrase has continued to be used to convey the idea of a damaged reputation, and it has become a well-known idiom in the English language.