Definition

Phrasal Verb: - To speak about someone in a very critical, insulting, or damaging way; to publicly disgrace or humiliate someone by making negative and often unfair statements about their character or actions.

Usage

This phrasal verb is used to describe the act of severely and publicly criticizing someone, often with the intent to harm their reputation. It implies a sustained, harsh, and unfair attack. It is typically used in informal contexts.

Examples

• The politician's opponents tried to drag him through the mud by spreading old rumors.
• After the scandal, the company's name was dragged through the mud in the press.
• She felt her ex-boyfriend was trying to drag her through the mud on social media.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a connotation of excess or unfairness, suggesting the criticism is more severe or prolonged than the situation warrants.
• It can be used in passive voice ("to be dragged through the mud") to emphasize the victim's experience of public humiliation.

Variants and Related Words

• Badmouth (verb): To criticize or disparage someone, especially behind their back. (e.g., )
• Defame (verb): To damage the good reputation of someone; slander or libel. This is a more formal, legal term.
• Malign (verb): To speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner.

Synonyms

• Vilify
• Smear
• Slander (specifically refers to false spoken statements)
• Disparage
• Run down

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Run down: To criticize someone or something unfairly and repeatedly.
  • He's always running down his former employer.
• Put down: To criticize or make someone feel foolish or unimportant.
  • She felt put down by his constant remarks.

Related Idioms

• Throw mud at: To make malicious or slanderous accusations against someone.
  • During the campaign, both candidates just threw mud at each other.
• Mud-slinging (noun): The use of insults and accusations, especially unjust ones, with the aim of damaging someone's reputation.
  • The debate was full of mud-slinging and contained little substance.

Verb

1. speak unfavorably about
   • She badmouths her husband everywhere