give a bad name

English

Verb

give a bad name (third-person singular simple present gives a bad name, present participle giving a bad name, simple past gave a bad name, past participle given a bad name)

To cause people to lose respect, reverence or esteem for something or someone.
- 1986, “You Give Love a Bad Name”, in Slippery When Wet, performed by Bon Jovi:
  Shot through the heart and you're to blame / Darling, you give love a bad name

Translations

to lose respect for something/someone

French: donner une mauvaise réputation
Italian: perdere rispetto f, disprezzare (it)
Norwegian: gi et dårlig rykte
Swedish: ge ett dåligt rykte

See also

give a dog a bad name and hang him

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