PhrasesHub

Whistle blower

    Definitions

      • report wrongdoing
        Informal term used to describe someone who exposes illegal or unethical activities within an organization

      • warn of danger
        Informal term used to describe someone who alerts others to potential risks or hazards

    Examples of Whistle blower

    • The financial irregularities in the company have come to light due to the brave actions of a whistle blower.

      A whistle blower is a person who reports wrongdoing, corruption, or other misconduct in an organization to the appropriate authorities. In this example, the whistle blower revealed the financial irregularities to the appropriate authorities, leading to the uncovering of the truth.

    • After the company fired the whistle blower for reporting the wrongdoing, the authorities were forced to launch an investigation.

      In some cases, whistle blowers may face retaliation for reporting wrongdoing. In this example, the company fired the person who reported the financial irregularities, but it did not stop the authorities from launching an investigation based on the whistle blower's report.

    • The whistle blower was awarded a significant sum of money for their bravery and contribution to exposing the wrongdoing.

      In some instances, whistle blowers may receive compensation for reporting wrongdoing. In this example, the whistle blower was rewarded for their bravery and contribution to exposing the financial irregularities.

    • The company's reputation was damaged due to the negative publicity resulting from the whistle blower's report.

      In some cases, whistle blowers may bring negative publicity to an organization. In this example, the whistle blower's report led to negative publicity for the company, damaging its reputation.

    • The company's financial irregularities were brought to light by a whistle blower, who feared for the integrity of the organization and the harm that could be caused to its stakeholders.

      A whistle blower is a person who reveals information about allegedly unfair, corrupt, or illegitimate practices within an organization, typically to an authority figure outside of the organization. In this example, the whistle blower came forward with evidence of financial wrongdoing and reported it to a higher authority, which led to an investigation and resolution of the issue.

    • The CEO received a letter from a whistle blower claiming that the company's safety protocols were being ignored in the production process, putting employees and consumers at risk.

      The term "whistle blower" can be used to describe a person who reports wrongdoing in any context, not just financial matters. In this example, the whistle blower raised concerns about safety and potentially life-threatening issues, which required swift action and investigation.

    • The company faced intense scrutiny after a whistle blower revealed that its products contained a dangerous ingredient that could cause serious health problems.

      In this example, the whistle blower exposed a health or safety risk in a company's products, which could have a significant impact on public safety and consumer trust. This type of whistle blowing can lead to product recalls, lawsuits, and damage to a company's reputation.

    • The anonymous whistle blower provided damning evidence against the CEO, who was later ousted from the company.

      The identity of a whistle blower is often protected to prevent retaliation or harassment from the subject of the complaint. In this example, the whistle blower's anonymity allowed them to speak out against the CEO's alleged misconduct without fear of retaliation, ultimately leading to a change in leadership.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "whistle blower" is commonly used to refer to someone who reports illegal or unethical activities within an organization. It can also be used to describe someone who warns others of potential risks or hazards. In both cases, the intention is to bring attention to something that is harmful or problematic.

    The term "whistle blower" is often used in the context of corporate or government misconduct, where individuals come forward to expose wrongdoing. It can also be used in a more general sense to describe anyone who speaks out about a harmful situation.

    Overall, the idiom "whistle blower" is used to highlight the importance of speaking up about wrongdoing and warning others of potential dangers.

    Origin of "Whistle blower"

    The origin of the idiom "whistle blower" can be traced back to the early 20th century, when referees in sports would blow a whistle to signal a foul or violation. This action was seen as a way to alert others to an infraction and maintain fairness in the game.

    Over time, the term "whistle blower" became associated with anyone who sounded an alarm or alerted others to wrongdoing. It gained particular prominence in the 1970s with the passage of the Whistleblower Protection Act in the United States, which provided legal protections for individuals who reported misconduct.

    Today, the term is widely used in both legal and informal contexts to describe individuals who report illegal or unethical activities. The origin of the idiom reflects the idea of alerting others to wrongdoing, much like a referee blowing a whistle to signal a foul.