speak ill of
Talk someone down
To speak ill of someone is to say negative things about them, especially behind their back: She never speaks ill of anyone.
The phrase appears most often in the negative, as a way of noting someone's restraint or charity.
Speak no ill of the dead is a common admonition to leave the departed's reputation alone.
- badmouthCriticize someone harshly
- revileCondemn with bitter language
- backbiteDefame someone absent
- defameHarm reputation falsely
- malignAttack someone's reputation
drag through the mud · criticize · run down · decry · denigrate · traduce · disparage · tear down · gossip · spread rumors · dish the dirt · trash-talk · talk smack · smear · censure · slag · character assassination · vilify
speak ill ofpraise
Expression of approval
sing the praises of · commend · extol · laud · eulogize
speak ill ofhold one's tongue
Deliberately not speak
say nothing · bite one's tongue · keep one's counsel · keep mum
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