bad-mouth
B2-C1Informal, colloquial. Common in spoken English, journalism, and informal writing. Avoid in formal or academic contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To speak critically, disparagingly, or maliciously about someone or something.
To engage in gossip, slander, or defamation; to deliberately undermine someone's reputation through verbal criticism.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive verb. Often implies persistent, unfair, or behind-the-back criticism. Can refer to criticizing people, ideas, products, or organizations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English, but widely understood in British English. British speakers might more frequently use 'slag off', 'rubbish', or 'run down'.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries a strong negative connotation of disloyalty or unfairness. In American contexts, can sometimes have a slightly playful or hyperbolic tone in very casual use.
Frequency
High frequency in US informal speech and media. Moderate and increasing in UK usage, particularly influenced by American media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] bad-mouths [Object][Subject] is bad-mouthing [Object] to [Recipient]Don't bad-mouth [Object] behind [Possessive] back.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bad-mouth someone behind their back”
- “Don't bad-mouth the hand that feeds you.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Cautionary. 'Don't bad-mouth competitors to clients; it looks unprofessional.'
Academic
Rare. Preferred terms: 'disparage', 'criticize unfavorably', 'denigrate'.
Everyday
Common. 'She's always bad-mouthing her neighbours.'
Technical
Not applicable in technical registers.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He's always bad-mouthing the management to anyone who will listen.
- It's poor form to bad-mouth a former employer in an interview.
American English
- She bad-mouthed the new policy on social media.
- Stop bad-mouthing your brother; he's trying his best.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Why do you bad-mouth your friends?
- It's not nice to bad-mouth people.
- The disgruntled employee started bad-mouthing the company to potential clients.
- Politicians often bad-mouth their opponents during campaigns.
- Despite being overlooked for promotion, she refused to bad-mouth her successful colleague, demonstrating professional integrity.
- The celebrity's penchant for bad-mouthing directors in the press has made her unemployable in major studios.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone with a 'bad mouth' – their mouth is saying bad things about others.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM IS POISON / REPUTATION IS A STRUCTURE (undermining it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not equivalent to 'ругать' (to scold) which is direct and often justified. 'Bad-mouth' implies unfair, behind-the-back gossip.
- False friend with 'плохой рот' – not a physical condition.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a noun ('He is a bad-mouth'). Incorrect. It's a verb. The noun form is 'bad-mouthing'.
- Using in overly formal contexts.
- Misspelling: 'badmouth' (solid form is increasingly common but hyphenated is standard).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'bad-mouth' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The traditional and dictionary-standard form is hyphenated: 'bad-mouth'. However, the solid form 'badmouth' is seen increasingly in informal writing.
Not directly. The verb is 'to bad-mouth'. The activity or instance is called 'bad-mouthing' (e.g., 'His constant bad-mouthing created a toxic atmosphere').
'Criticize' is neutral and can be constructive or destructive. 'Bad-mouth' is always negative, informal, and implies malicious, unfair, or disloyal speech, often behind someone's back.
Yes, it is a accusatory and critical term. Accusing someone of 'bad-mouthing' is a serious charge of disloyalty or spitefulness.