a tarnished reputation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tarnished reputation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's or something's damaged or compromised standing or image, often due to negative actions or events. Example: "After the scandal, the politician was left with a tarnished reputation that took years to rebuild."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The flaws include relatively weak capital reserves, excessive dependence on investment banking and a tarnished reputation.

The New York Times

Critical Path executives acknowledged that they must win back Wall Street to improve a tarnished reputation.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, Lords grandees are beginning the task of rebuilding a tarnished reputation.

The Guardian

Appearing at a town hall at Barclays' London headquarters that was broadcast to thousands of employees across the world, Mr. Jenkins, in suit and tie but no jacket, emphasized the need to repair a tarnished reputation.

The New York Times

Wasted money and a tarnished reputation.

Huffington Post

He could relate with those who had a tarnished reputation because he grew up with one.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

WALL STREET JOURNAL Goldman's Reform School | A A case study for Goldman Sachs employees in London is among internal training sessions that "shed light on the efforts being made by the firm to burnish a badly tarnished reputation," The Economist writes.

The New York Times

The remaining younger doctors quickly took over the management (IC4) at the expense of a slightly tarnished reputation of the hospital, which resulted from diminished confidence of the population in the medical staff (IC5).

Conflict and Health

In fact, the whole volume won't do much for Capote's already tarnished reputation as a truth-teller.

The New York Times - Books

South Africa's president, Jacob Zuma, has suffered another blow to his already tarnished reputation after a court ruled that he should face almost 800 corruption charges that were dropped in 2009.

The Guardian

The incidents have cast a pall over the government and have hastened efforts to polish the city's tarnished reputation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tarnished reputation", ensure the context clearly explains the cause of the damage or decline. Provide specific examples or details to illustrate the impact on the person or entity in question.

Common error

Avoid using "a tarnished reputation" when the damage is minor or temporary. Ensure that the situation warrants such a strong description, as overuse can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tarnished reputation" functions as a noun phrase, where "tarnished" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "reputation". It typically serves to describe the state of someone's or something's public image after experiencing negative events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tarnished reputation" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe damage to one's public image. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is fit for use in various writing scenarios. It's most frequently found in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts, where it objectively describes the consequences of negative events. When writing, consider alternatives such as "a damaged reputation" or "a stained reputation". Ensure that the context justifies the strong connotation and use the phrase accurately and avoid overstating the severity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a damaged reputation

Replaces "tarnished" with a more general synonym, indicating harm to the reputation.

a stained reputation

Uses "stained" to suggest that the reputation has been marked by something negative.

a sullied reputation

Employs "sullied" to imply that the reputation has been dirtied or defiled.

a compromised reputation

Indicates that the reputation has been weakened or put at risk.

a discredited reputation

Suggests that the reputation has lost credibility.

a blemished reputation

Uses "blemished" to indicate that the reputation has been marked by flaws.

a tainted reputation

Implies that the reputation has been contaminated or corrupted.

a ruined reputation

Suggests that the reputation has been destroyed or irreparably damaged.

a tarnished image

Replaces reputation with image, referring to the perception of someone or something.

a fallen reputation

Suggests a loss of status or prestige in someone's reputation.

FAQs

What does it mean to have "a tarnished reputation"?

Having "a tarnished reputation" means that someone's or something's public image has been damaged, usually due to negative actions, scandals, or failures. It suggests a loss of trust and respect.

What can I say instead of "a tarnished reputation"?

You can use alternatives like "a damaged reputation", "a stained reputation", or "a compromised reputation" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

How do you repair "a tarnished reputation"?

Repairing "a tarnished reputation" typically involves acknowledging the wrongdoing, taking corrective actions, demonstrating remorse, and consistently behaving in a manner that rebuilds trust over time. Public relations efforts and transparency are also crucial.

Which is more severe, "a tarnished reputation" or "a ruined reputation"?

"A ruined reputation" implies a more severe and potentially irreparable level of damage compared to "a tarnished reputation". While both indicate damage, "ruined" suggests near or total destruction of one's public image.