destroy the reputation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "destroy the reputation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or events that harm someone's or something's public image or standing. Example: "The scandal was enough to destroy the reputation of the once-respected organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

FEW things destroy the reputation of a high-class hotel faster than bed bugs.

The Economist

There are the petty reviewers who view every minor shortcoming in service as an opportunity to vilify or destroy the reputation of a business.

The Economist

"The use of this stuff, the sensationalising, this is absolutely an attempt to destroy the reputation of the athletes and our sport," Coe added.

Independent

It has, as Peter Hain and George Osborne can testify, provided the ammunition for one politician to seek to destroy the reputation of another.

The Guardian

"The use of this stuff, the sensationalising, this is absolutely an attempt to destroy the reputation of the athletes and our sport," Coe said.

The Guardian - Sport

He saw that if he abandoned his European commitment, he would destroy the reputation for integrity that was his greatest political asset.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

At 33, he has been around for years, with a career that started as a boy in Lecce, dreaming of emulating another instinctive player who could in a split second destroy the reputations of seasoned opponents.

The New York Times - Sports

Dugher said he had become frustrated and angry because he believed members of Corbyn's team were trying to destroy the reputations of some shadow cabinet ministers and had been briefing newspapers that they would be fired.

The Guardian

He adds: "Overfertilization, modern sprays that prevent rot, the development of highly prolific clonal selections and the failure to keep production levels modest have all resulted in yields that may well be combining to destroy the reputations of many of the most famous wine regions of the world.

The New York Times - Food

To be "Morozoved" is to be savaged in 16,000 word critiques that seek to destroy the reputations of Silicon Valley's best and brightest.

TechCrunch

And just as Iago sought to destroy the reputations of the stalwart soldiers, Cassio and Othello, Hasan, who had done poorly on performance evaluations, sought to destroy the lives of soldiers, men and women better than he, in the U.S. Army.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "destroy the reputation", ensure the context clearly indicates the severity and finality of the damage. This phrase is best suited for situations where the harm is substantial and potentially irreversible.

Common error

Avoid using "destroy the reputation" when the damage is minor or temporary. Opt for words like "damage" or "tarnish" if the harm is less severe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "destroy the reputation" functions as a verb phrase with the primary role of indicating an action that causes significant and often irreparable harm to someone's or something's public image. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "destroy the reputation" is a widely used expression indicating a severe and often irreversible negative impact on someone's or something's public image. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "ruin the reputation" or "damage the reputation" exist, the choice depends on the degree of harm intended. When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies the strong connotation of complete destruction. Being precise ensures effective and impactful communication, aligning with Ludwig's array of real-world examples and analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ruin the reputation

This alternative uses "ruin" instead of "destroy", suggesting a similar outcome of severe damage.

demolish the reputation

Using "demolish" suggests a complete and utter destruction, similar to "destroy".

damage the reputation

This alternative is less severe, implying harm rather than complete destruction.

obliterate the reputation

This is a stronger, more emphatic way of saying to completely wipe out the reputation.

tarnish the reputation

This suggests a staining or discoloration of the reputation, rather than complete obliteration.

crush the reputation

This conveys a forceful and devastating impact on the reputation.

undermine the reputation

This implies a gradual weakening of the reputation, not necessarily immediate destruction.

smear the reputation

This suggests spreading false or damaging information to harm the reputation.

blacken the reputation

This alternative uses "blacken" to suggest staining or tarnishing of the reputation, creating a negative impression.

discredit the reputation

This focuses on making the reputation unbelievable or untrustworthy.

FAQs

How can I use "destroy the reputation" in a sentence?

You can use "destroy the reputation" to describe actions that severely harm someone's or something's public image. For example: "The scandal was enough to destroy the reputation of the once-respected organization."

What are some alternatives to "destroy the reputation"?

You can use alternatives like "ruin the reputation", "damage the reputation", or "tarnish the reputation" depending on the context and the level of damage.

Is it better to say "damage the reputation" or "destroy the reputation"?

"Destroy the reputation" implies more severe and potentially irreversible harm than "damage the reputation". Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the extent of the damage.

What's the difference between "destroy the reputation" and "undermine the reputation"?

"Destroy the reputation" suggests immediate and significant harm, whereas "undermine the reputation" implies a gradual weakening or erosion over time.