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Damn by Association

What Does "Damn by Association" Mean?

homeidiomsDamn by Association
"Damn by association" is an English idiom. It means "to discredit someone due to their association with a disapproved person or group."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "damn by association" used in a sentence:
  • Ever since he became friends with those rebels, the entire town would damn him by association.
  • I don't want to be seen with them, or I'll be damned by association.
  • She was a great worker, but being related to the corrupt manager, she was damned by association.
meaning for damn by association

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Damn by Association" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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