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Name and Shame

What Does "Name and Shame" Mean?

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"Name and shame" is an English idiom. It means "to publicly identify and criticize individuals or entities for their actions or behavior."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "name and shame" used in a sentence:
  • The online community decided to name and shame the company responsible for environmental pollution.
  • Some journalists use their platforms to name and shame corrupt politicians and officials.
  • While it's essential to address wrongdoing, there's a fine line between naming and shaming and promoting constructive change.
meaning for name and shame

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 "Name and Shame" 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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