give a bad name

present singular third person gives a bad name · participle present giving a bad name · past gave a bad name · participle past given a bad name

1. To cause people to lose respect, reverence or esteem for something or someone.

   The Spanish Inquisition gave all other government inquisitions a bad name, as far as common usage is concerned.

   1 more example

   Shot through the heart and you're to blame / Darling, you give love a bad name

   1986, “You Give Love a Bad Name”, in Slippery When Wet, performed by Bon Jovi

   Synonyms: discredit, dishonour, knock down to size, put someone in their place, abase, bring down to size, cut down to size, debase