bad-mouth

or bad·mouth

[ bad-mouthor, sometimes, -mouth ]

verb (used with object)

, bad-mouthed, bad-mouth·ing.

1. Slang. to speak critically and often disloyally of; disparage:

   Why do you bad-mouth your family so much?

bad-mouth

verb

1. slang.
   tr to speak unfavourably about

Other Words From

• bad-mouther noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bad-mouth¹

1935–40; originally a curse, spell (the sense recorded in Gullah); compare Vai (Mande language of Liberia and Sierra Leone) dà nyà mà curse, literally, bad mouth

Idioms and Phrases

Disparage or criticize unduly, malign, as in Why do you constantly bad mouth your colleagues? This term is believed to be of African origin, where the phrase bad mouth signifies a curse or evil spell. [1930s]

Example Sentences

One day he visited a child who was sick with a bad mouth, and touching the child's mouth he said, "It will be well soon."

From Project Gutenberg

Many horses will not attempt to run away except for the concurrence of a bad mouth along with an avenue of escape home.

From Project Gutenberg

I had very pretty hair, my dear,” said Miss Matilda; “and not a bad mouth.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not a bad mouth; her eyes were large, and it was merely large to match them.

From Project Gutenberg

That what they call puttin' bad mouth on them and she sho' could do it.

From Project Gutenberg