reflect poorly on

USAGE SUMMARY

"reflect poorly on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or action that reflects negatively on someone or something. For example, "His bad behavior reflects poorly on his reputation in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They reflect poorly on him".

The New York Times

Intended or not, the comments reflect poorly on Testaverde.

The New York Times - Sports

I feel his unreasonably low tips reflect poorly on me.

The New York Times - Magazine

That, of course, doesn't reflect poorly on the show – only on me.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Phillip Ball argues that this doesn't reflect poorly on individuals; rather, it is an institutional problem.

The Guardian

To others it will reflect poorly on the leadership of both institutions.

The New York Times

The lawyer next to me whispered: "Don't worry, it doesn't reflect poorly on us.

The New York Times

Felipe Almonte's transgression should not reflect poorly on the Dominican community as a whole.

The New York Times - Sports

"If you refer them and they screw up, that will reflect poorly on you".

The New York Times

Obviously, if you miss payments this would reflect poorly on your credit record.

The Guardian - Money

Any lack of action will reflect poorly on the company and brand.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reflect poorly on" when you want to indicate that someone's actions or a particular situation can damage the reputation or image of something else. For example, "The company's lack of transparency will "reflect poorly on" its brand".

Common error

Avoid using "reflect poorly on" when you mean direct causation. "Reflect poorly on" implies indirect consequences and damage to reputation, not a direct result. For example, instead of saying "His mistake reflected poorly on the project's failure", a better phrasing would be "His mistake directly caused the project's failure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reflect poorly on" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something has a negative impact on the reputation or image of someone or something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, supporting its role in expressing adverse consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

20%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reflect poorly on" is a versatile and common expression used to describe how an action or situation can negatively impact someone or something's reputation or image. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness. It is frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts, indicating its appropriateness for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, remember that it suggests an indirect consequence rather than a direct cause. Alternatives include "cast a bad light on" and "have a negative impact on", which offer slightly different nuances. Pay attention to this guide to use "reflect poorly on" with precision and avoid common mistakes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reflect negatively on

A more direct and literal synonym, simply replacing "poorly" with "negatively".

cast a bad light on

Focuses on the idea of creating a negative perception.

tarnish the image of

Indicates damaging the positive image or perception.

give a poor impression of

Focuses on creating a negative perception or image.

show someone in a bad light

Highlights the act of presenting someone unfavorably.

bring discredit to

Emphasizes the loss of respect or reputation.

have a negative impact on

Emphasizes the adverse effect or consequence.

detract from

Suggests diminishing the value or quality of something.

do a disservice to

Indicates a failure to represent something accurately or positively.

undermine the reputation of

Focuses on weakening someone's or something's standing.

FAQs

How can I use "reflect poorly on" in a sentence?

Use "reflect poorly on" to suggest that an action or situation negatively impacts someone or something's reputation. For example: "The scandal will "reflect poorly on" the entire organization".

What are some alternatives to "reflect poorly on"?

You can use alternatives like "cast a bad light on", "reflect negatively on", or "have a negative impact on" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "reflect poorly on" or "reflect negatively on"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Reflect negatively on" might seem more direct, while "reflect poorly on" can sound slightly more nuanced, suggesting a less severe impact.

Can actions of an individual "reflect poorly on" a whole group?

Yes, the actions of an individual can indeed "reflect poorly on" a larger group, organization, or community. This is because people often associate the individual's behavior with the broader entity they represent. For example, a politician's scandal can "reflect poorly on" their entire party.