whispering campaign

noun

1. the organized spreading of insinuations or rumors to destroy the reputation of a person, organization, etc.

whispering campaign

noun

1. the organized diffusion by word of mouth of defamatory rumours designed to discredit a person, group, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of whispering campaign¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Idioms and Phrases

A deliberate spreading of derogatory rumors about a candidate, as in That whispering campaign destroyed his chances for election . [c. 1920]

Example Sentences

It's true that Sotomayor has been the victim of a rather clumsy whispering campaign.

From The Daily Beast

Removing Geithner (as the whispering campaign is already suggesting) won't in and of itself free up the credit markets.

From The Daily Beast

The keen competition fought very shy of Mr. Peacock, thanks to the Bish and his whispering campaign.

From Project Gutenberg