drag through the mud
Ruin someone's reputation
To drag someone through the mud is to damage their reputation by publicly exposing or inventing unflattering information about them.
The image is of forcibly pulling someone through filth: The tabloids dragged her through the mud for months.
Often implies the attack is excessive or unfair, though the exposed information may be true.
- defameHarm reputation falsely
- besmirchTo soil someone's reputation
- smearSpread or defame
- throw under the busBetray for self-preservation
- sullyDamage one's standing
calumniate · asperse · character assassination · hatchet job · hit piece · slander · traduce · disparage · trash talk · libel · vilify · ridicule · smear campaign · badmouth · name calling · insult · denigrate · dirty laundry
drag through the mudpraise
Expression of approval
defend · exalt · put on a pedestal · honor · glorify
drag through the mudstand up for
Defend against criticism
stick up for · champion · have someone's back · vouch for · back up