take someone's name in vain

take someone's name in vain (third-person singular simple present takes someone's name in vain, present participle taking someone's name in vain, simple past took someone's name in vain, past participle taken someone's name in vain)

1. to speak insultingly about someone
   • 1887, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, Jack the Fisherman, page 17:

     He never once took her name in vain among the fellows: and she had not been a very good girl, either.

   • 2010, William J. Mann, How to Be a Movie Star: Elizabeth Taylor in Hollywood 1941-1981, Faber & Faber, →ISBN, page 55:

     Hollywood honchos courted her, flattered her, showered her with gifts—and took her name in vain behind her back.

   • 1977, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary. Subcommittee on Antitrust and Monopoly, Oversight of Antitrust Enforcement: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Antitrust and Monopoly of the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, Ninety-fifth Congress, First Session ..., page 484:

     I took your name in vain, Mr. Mathias , in suggesting that we would have another good ally on the Appropriations Committee to get money for additional assistance down there.

   • 1851, William J. O'Neill Daunt, The Gentleman in Debt: A Novel, page 75:

     I'm afeard I took your name in vain, awhile ago , young gentleman; but how could I tell you were hearkening to me ?”

   • 1936, The National Review:

     All this bother is due to my interfering in matters which do not concern me but concern your W.D. Mrs. F. will make F. squint , I expect! I took your name in vain.