Ruining the family name [closed]
- Is the following correct usage? "They didn't want me to ruin the family name. "
- What are some other idiomatic expressions or phrases to say something similar? I am aware of "give a bad name" and "one's name is mud".
- What would be the correct usage of idiom " one's name is mud" in this context?
Solution 1:
Your usage in line 1
They didn't want me to ruin the family name
is perfect. And as you say,
to give the family a bad name
would be fine too.
It's funny to see One's name is mud: a wonderfully concise example of bathos! An idiomatic use of the expression would be,
They were worried that (if I did such and such) the family name would be mud.
Other expressions:
They were worried that (if I did such and such) the family's reputation/standing would/might (thereby!) be ruined.
Or
They didn't want me dragging the family name through the dirt
Or
...miring the family name / besmirching it / bringing/heaping dishonour upon/on it.
Or, more plainly,
They didn't want me to give the family a bad name.