Take name in vain

Meaning

The idiom "take name in vain" means to use someone's name, especially a respected or revered one, disrespectfully or irreverently. It implies that the person's reputation or honor has been damaged by being associated with something negative or offensive.

Usage

• My father is very religious and would never take his name in vain.
• The singer took her name in vain when she performed a raunchy song on stage.
• The company's executives were criticized for taking their names in vain by using them to promote their own interests.
• The athlete was suspended from the team after taking his name in vain during a press conference.
• The president took his name in vain when he made an off-color joke about his opponents.

Roots and History

The idiom "take name in vain" has been used since at least the 16th century and is believed to have originated in Scotland. In medieval Scotland, a person's reputation was closely tied to their name, and using someone's name in a negative way could damage that reputation. The phrase became more commonly used in English during the Renaissance period. Over time, the idiom has evolved to include more than just a person's name. It can also refer to any sacred or revered object or idea, such as a religious symbol or doctrine.

Synonyms in English

• Disrespect someone's name.
• Misuse someone's name.
• Tarnish someone's reputation.
• Dishonor someone's name.
• Use someone's name for nefarious purposes.

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: insultar al nombre de alguien (to insult someone's name).
• French: prendre en vain le nom d'un quelqu'un (to use someone's name disrespectfully).
• German: Verleihen des Namens einer Person mit schlimmem Bezeichnen (to give a person's name a bad connotation).
• Italian: screditare il nome di qualcuno (to tarnish someone's reputation).
• Russian: использовать имя человека для неприемлемых целей (to use someone's name for unacceptable purposes)

Similar Idioms

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• twenty-three skidoo