give a bad name to

Idioms  

1. Also,. 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.

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Example Sentences

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 • Jan. 10, 2018

You can give a bad name to a Dog, And hang him by way of excuse; Whereas Hunger, of course, Is by far the Best Sauce For the Gander as well as the Goose.

From Perverted Proverbs A Manual of Immorals for the Many by Graham, Harry

But in that case there was a good reason, for he wanted to give a bad name to the property so he could buy it in for a song.

From The Hickory Ridge Boy Scouts: Under Canvas or, The Hunt for the Cartaret Ghost by Douglas, Alan

Louis," said he, "has talents and means: he is old and infirm; and will not, I think, choose to give a bad name to his reign.

From The History of Napoleon Buonaparte by Lockhart, J. G. (John Gibson)

We’re not going to let you go ashore, and let you give a bad name to the ship and us.

From Dick Cheveley His Adventures and Misadventures by Groome, William H. C.