reflects poorly on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reflects poorly on" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that a certain action or behavior does not cast a favorable light on someone or something. It can be used to express disapproval or criticism. Example: The CEO's decision to lay off a large number of employees reflects poorly on the company's values of fairness and compassion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Theirs was an unfortunate thanksgiving meal, and one that reflects poorly on their churches, many of which do not support them or sponsor LGBT ministries.

Huffington Post

And one which ultimately reflects poorly on the quality of the decisions being made by the founders.

TechCrunch

I routinely Google these students and discovered that one posted information on his blog that reflects poorly on him.

The New York Times - Magazine

But this reflects poorly on Stephanapoulos, as well--this whole segment has been one long game where GS looks for a way to trip Obama up.

Huffington Post

It reflects poorly on you".

The New York Times

It reflects poorly on both candidates.

The Economist

"It reflects poorly on the organization".

The New York Times

That it has come to this reflects poorly on Spurs.

The Guardian - Sport

Either way, it reflects poorly on his leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

That 68percentt reflects poorly on American democracy.

The New York Times

It also reflects poorly on her strategic judgment.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reflects poorly on", ensure the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The company's handling of the crisis reflects poorly on its leadership."

Common error

Avoid using "reflects poorly on" when the subject is not directly responsible for the action. It's inaccurate to say "The weather reflects poorly on the picnic" when the weather is an uncontrollable factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reflects poorly on" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that a particular action, event, or characteristic casts a negative light or creates an unfavorable impression on someone or something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reflects poorly on" is a versatile phrase used to express that something creates a negative impression or has detrimental consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts. Its primary function is to evaluate and critique, making it suitable for expressing disapproval or highlighting negative impacts. While common in neutral and formal settings like news and business, understanding subtle alternatives such as "casts a bad light on" or "is detrimental to" can enhance precision in your writing. When using this phrase, clarity and direct attribution are key to avoiding misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reflects negatively on

Direct synonym highlighting the negative impact.

reflects badly on

Uses a less formal synonym for 'poorly'.

reflects unfavorably on

Replaces "poorly" with a more formal synonym.

casts a bad light on

Emphasizes the negative impression created.

tarnishes the image of

Focuses on damage to reputation or public perception.

is detrimental to

Focuses on the harmful effect.

is to the detriment of

Formal phrasing emphasizing harm or damage.

does a disservice to

Highlights the unfair or damaging nature of the impact.

paints a negative picture of

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the negative impression.

detracts from

Indicates a lessening of value or reputation.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "reflects poorly on" someone?

It means that something makes them look bad or creates a negative impression. It suggests a fault, failing, or negative consequence associated with the person or entity being discussed.

What are some synonyms for "reflects poorly on"?

Alternatives include "reflects negatively on", "casts a bad light on", or "detracts from", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "reflects poorly on" in formal writing?

Yes, "reflects poorly on" is suitable for formal writing. While not overly technical, it is a clear and professional way to express a negative reflection or consequence. However, depending on the context, more formal alternatives like "is detrimental to" might be preferred.

How do I use "reflects poorly on" in a sentence?

Use it to connect an action, decision, or situation to the negative perception it creates for someone or something. For instance, "The manager's lack of communication skills "reflects poorly on" the entire team."