Meaning: To damage someone’s reputation by publicly criticizing or accusing them, often unfairly or maliciously.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “The tabloids dragged her name through the mud after the scandal broke.”
- “It’s unfair to drag his reputation through the mud without any solid evidence.”
- “He felt like his character was being dragged through the mud during the heated debate.”
Origin:
This phrase evokes the image of something clean or respectable being tarnished by literal mud. It is often used metaphorically to describe the act of sullying someone’s good name or standing, typically through slander or gossip. The imagery emphasizes how difficult it can be to restore one’s reputation once it’s been tarnished.
