dig up dirt
Uncover damaging secrets
To dig up dirt is to search for damaging or scandalous information about someone, usually to use against them: Opposition researchers spent months digging up dirt on the candidate.
The metaphor treats reputation-damaging facts as something buried and hidden, requiring excavation to uncover.
- find outObtain information through inquiry
- background checkInvestigation of someone's history
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- uncoverReveal what's hidden
- smoking gunIrrefutable proof of wrongdoing
skeleton in the closet · revenge · investigate · opposition research · scrutinize · expose · secret · probe · slander · delve · private investigator · controversy · libel · innuendo · hit piece · character assassination · muckraking · tabloid journalism
dig up dirtclear someone's name
Prove wrongly accused
whitewash · put in a good word · vouch for · spin doctor · puff piece
dig up dirtcover up
Conceal misdeeds or errors
hush up · conceal · paper over · deep-six · whitewash
dig up dirthave someone's back
Offer reliable support
put in a good word · protect · shield · stand up for · defend
dig, dirt, digs, digging, digger, diggers, dirty, dirtier, dirtiest