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Failure - Defamation & Unpopularity

Explore English idioms regarding defamation and unpopularity with examples like "nine day wonder" and "fall from grace".

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English idioms related to Failure
to [drag] {one's} name through the (mud|mire)

to make unfavorable remarks about someone

Ex: His former partner dragged his name through the mud after the breakup. 
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dirt on {sb}

the action of publishing or spreading unpleasant details about someone's private life in order to negatively impact the public's opinion of them

Ex: The journalist claimed to have dirt on the senator. 
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dirty (linen|laundry)
dirty linen
[phrase]

one's personal matters that if shared with others could make one embarrassed or ashamed

Ex: The family did not want their dirty laundry discussed in public. 
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nine day wonder

something that receives a lot of attention for a short time, but is soon forgotten

Ex: The scandal was a nine day wonder; a week later, no one talked about it. 
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to [fall] from grace

to lose favor, respect, or a position of high regard due to a significant mistake, scandal, or failure

Ex: The minister fell from grace after the corruption scandal. 
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to [lay] a glove on {sb/sth}

to cause a loss of respect or reputation for a person or thing

Ex: The accusations did not lay a glove on his reputation. 
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to [lose] face
to lose face
[phrase]

to do something that causes others to have less respect for one

Ex: He lost face when he admitted the report was full of errors. 
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loss of face
loss of face
[phrase]

the state of losing all the respect others had for one because of one's actions

Ex: The public apology helped reduce the loss of face. 
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{one's} name [is] mud

used when one says or does something that makes one disgraced or discredited

Ex: After he lied to the clients, his name was mud at the company. 
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out of season

used to refer to something is not currently appropriate, popular, or available due to being outside of its usual time or season

Ex: His joke felt out of season during such a serious meeting. 
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to [get] the bird

to be subjected to disapproval, rejection, or criticism from others, often through booing

Ex: The comedian got the bird after telling a tasteless joke. 
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to [blot] {one's} copybook

to make a mistake that brings about a negative consequence

Ex: He blotted his copybook by missing the deadline. 
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to [pick] holes in {sth}

to find the flaws and weaknesses of something, like a plan, action, or idea

Ex: The committee picked holes in the proposal before approving it. 
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to [make] an ass (out|) of {sb}

to make someone appear foolish or ridiculous in front of others

Ex: He made an ass of his colleague by correcting him loudly in the meeting. 
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to [put|have] {one's} [head|neck] on the block

to take a particular course of action that endangers one's reputation or position

Ex: She put her head on the block by approving the risky plan. 
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to [make] an exhibition of {oneself}

to behave in an embarrassing or foolish manner in front of other people, in a way that that makes them mock one

Ex: He made an exhibition of himself by shouting at the waiter. 
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black eye
black eye
[noun]

a negative perception of someone or something

Ex: The scandal gave the company a black eye. 
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