bring into disrepute

USAGE SUMMARY

"bring into disrepute" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something's behavior is causing them to be viewed in a negative light, usually due to unethical or unseemly behavior. For example: "After his inappropriate comments, the politician brought the party into disrepute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The censors' original 43 "grounds for deletion" list from 1916 included several amusingly old-fashioned points, including scenes of "vitriol throwing", "scenes laid in disorderly houses", "vulgar accessories in the staging", "indecorous dancing" and scenes likely to "bring into disrepute British prestige in the Empire".

The Guardian - Film

As Seaborg considered he did not then have a career to bring into disrepute, he published anyway.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The sport I love was brought into disrepute.

The Guardian - Sport

The fact is, tragically, it's been brought into disrepute by the people running it".

The Guardian

Nobody is benefited by having a system that can be brought into disrepute".

The Guardian

Perhaps you should branch out into a sport that could never be brought into disrepute by philandering.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was brought into disrepute after disclosures that virtually all of the key contracts were held by firms with political and personal ties to the mayor.

The New York Times

Why is China's leadership considering giving more powers to the security services, when it means bringing into disrepute what otherwise could have be an important legal reform?

The New York Times

And that sense of trust betrayed could just as easily be applied to other institutions brought into disrepute by their own leaders.

The New York Times

Over the next two years, peace treaties ended England's fruitless involvement in continental warfare in which more than £2 million had been wasted and royal government brought into disrepute.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I was deeply distressed that, at a time when the hearings of the Hillsborough inquests were unfolding, the civil service was brought into disrepute by these edits.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bring into disrepute" when you want to emphasize the action of causing something to lose its good reputation, typically through scandalous or unethical behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "bring into disrepute" when the situation involves minor criticism or simple disagreement. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving significant scandal or ethical breaches that seriously damage reputation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring into disrepute" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of causing something or someone to lose their good reputation or standing. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates unethical or unseemly behavior.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bring into disrepute" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing actions that damage reputation, often through unethical conduct. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal contexts, particularly in news and media, to express criticism or disapproval. While not exceedingly common, understanding its nuances and appropriate use contributes to precise and impactful communication. Using synonyms like "damage the reputation" or "discredit" can offer subtle variations in meaning, tailoring your message more effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring shame upon

Directly attributes disgrace and dishonor to someone or something.

damage the reputation

Focuses on the act of harming someone's good name, rather than the consequence of being viewed negatively.

discredit

Highlights the loss of credibility and trustworthiness.

tarnish the image

Implies a superficial damage to the public perception, not necessarily a deep or lasting harm.

compromise integrity

Focuses on the act of weakening or damaging the moral principles.

undermine confidence

Specifically targets the erosion of trust and belief in someone or something.

stain the honor

Emphasizes the defilement of someone's or something's respected status.

cast a shadow

Suggests a negative influence that darkens the perception of something.

make a mockery of

Suggests turning something into a ridiculous or laughable spectacle.

besmirch

A more formal and less common word indicating the act of tarnishing or discrediting.

FAQs

How can I use "bring into disrepute" in a sentence?

You can use "bring into disrepute" to describe actions that damage someone's reputation or standing. For example, "The scandal threatened to bring the company into disrepute."

What's a synonym for "bring into disrepute"?

Alternatives include "damage the reputation", "tarnish the image", or "discredit", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "bring someone into disrepute"?

To "bring someone into disrepute" means to cause them to be viewed with disapproval or distrust, typically due to unethical or scandalous behavior. It implies a loss of respect or credibility.

Is it more common to say "bring into disrepute" or "bring into question"?

"Bring into disrepute" refers specifically to damaging a reputation, while "bring into question" means to raise doubts or uncertainties about something. They have different meanings and are used in different contexts.