give a bad name to

Idioms and Phrases

Also, give someone or something a bad name . Spoil the reputation of, as in Late deliveries are giving the company a bad name . The use of bad name (sometimes put as ill name ) dates from about 1400, and the proverb “He that hath a ill name is half hanged” was included in numerous collections from 1546 on.

Example Sentences

"But we have to hold law enforcement accountable when they cross the line," he said "These rogue law enforcement officers give a bad name to the good officers, and we have to stop them. I never imagined that I would someday be the victim of excessive force by a fellow law enforcement officer. He could have easily killed me."

From Fox News

“But we have to hold law enforcement accountable when they cross the line,” he said “These rogue law enforcement officers give a bad name to the good officers, and we have to stop them. I never imagined that I would someday be the victim of excessive force by a fellow law enforcement officer. He could have easily killed me.”

From Washington Times

“I have to be good, otherwise I’m going to give a bad name to women in audio engineering,” she said of the pressures.

From New York Times

Those ships give a bad name to a legitimate industry.”

From The Guardian

These criminals give a bad name to law-abiding gun owners, who go through the proper background checks to buy their guns.

From Washington Times