put in a bad light

USAGE SUMMARY

"put in a bad light" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has been presented in a negative way or appears unsavoury. For example, "The biased reporting put the decision in a bad light."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If he was put in a bad light because of us, we should at least pay the $500 for him".

The New York Times

Moreover, Mr. Gore's proposal for a binding resolution put in a bad light Governor Bush's insistence on blocking an authoritative recount.

The New York Times

Gary Usher tells me what it's like to be on the receiving end: "The thing I hate most is seeing staff being insulted and having their names put in a bad light online.

The Guardian - Travel

"If this is being put in a bad light, I don't know any situation where you have one in a good light".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"The way we are going has put us in a good light and put Pakistan in a bad light," he added.

The New York Times

I felt it put GB in a bad light.

The Guardian

Privacy advocates said the full report put Google in a bad light.

The New York Times - Tech

"It's not the book that put him in a bad light," she said.

The New York Times

Joyce dismissed suggestions on Thursday that charging Heard put Australia in a bad light.

The Guardian - Film

We do not want to put ourselves in a bad light".

The Guardian - Sport

And they know that catcalls at such a formal occasion could put them in a bad light and give Democrats a rallying point.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "put in a bad light" when you want to convey that someone or something has been unfairly represented or perceived negatively due to specific actions or circumstances. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being misrepresented and why.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "put in a bad light" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "discredit", "malign", or "portray unfavorably" to maintain reader engagement and prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put in a bad light" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It is used to describe the action of causing someone or something to be perceived negatively. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put in a bad light" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe something being presented or perceived negatively. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and choose more formal synonyms like "discredit" or "tarnish the image" in formal settings. The phrase frequently appears in News & Media, Wiki and Academia, highlighting its broad applicability. Remember to avoid overusing it in your writing and explore related phrases for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cast in a negative light

Emphasizes the act of influencing perception to be negative.

portray unfavorably

Focuses on the manner of depiction being negative or critical.

show in a poor light

Highlights the visibility of negative attributes.

make someone look bad

Directly implies causing damage to someone's reputation.

give a negative impression

Stresses the impact of the action on the audience's perception.

discredit

Implies damaging someone's credibility or reputation.

tarnish the image

Suggests a lasting damage to someone's public image.

malign

Indicates speaking harmful untruths about someone.

denigrate

Implies belittling or disparaging someone or something.

defame

Indicates damaging someone's reputation through libel or slander.

FAQs

How can I use "put in a bad light" in a sentence?

You can use "put in a bad light" to indicate that someone or something is being presented negatively. For example, "The media coverage "put the company in a bad light"".

What is a synonym for "put in a bad light"?

Alternatives to "put in a bad light" include "cast in a negative light", "portray unfavorably", or "show in a poor light".

Is it appropriate to use "put in a bad light" in formal writing?

While "put in a bad light" is understandable, more formal alternatives like "discredit" or "tarnish the image" might be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "put in a bad light" and "defame"?

"Put in a bad light" is a more general term for making someone look unfavorable. "Defame" implies damaging someone's reputation through libel or slander and carries legal implications. You can "put someone in a bad light" without defaming them, but defamation always "puts someone in a bad light".