sling mud

sling mud

To disparage someone; to attempt to mar someone's reputation. I'm trying to maintain a fair and respectable campaign, but my opponent has no problem slinging mud! The radio presenter is known for slinging mud whenever he disagrees with a public figure.See also: mud, sling

sling mud

or

throw mud

COMMON If one person slings mud or throws mud at another, they say bad things about them in an attempt to spoil their reputation. The elections have been straight personality contests, with the candidates slinging as much mud at their opponents as they can manage. The newspaper and magazine articles that followed were especially vicious, with supporters of both stars quick to throw mud. Note: You can describe this kind of behaviour as mud-slinging or mud-throwing. Labour and Tory chiefs have ordered an end to political mud-slinging. Note: These expressions are used to show disapproval. See also: mud, sling

fling/sling/throw ˈmud (at somebody)

(informal) try to damage somebody’s reputation by telling other people bad things about them: Just before an election, politicians really start to sling mud at each other. ▶ ˈmud-slinging noun: There’s too much mud-slinging by irresponsible journalists.See also: fling, mud, sling, throw