dishonour
loss of respect or reputation
The state of losing respect from other people because you did something bad.
fall into [dishonour]
- He died in dishonour after the corruption scandal was revealed.
- The general returned home in disgrace and dishonour.
- The affair brought lasting dishonour on the royal household.
- They considered surrender a fate worse than dishonour.
- He lived the rest of his life in dishonour.
- The lie brought great dishonour to his name.
- She felt that her family was in dishonour after the news.
- The crime was a source of deep dishonour for them.
to bring shame on someone
To make people lose respect for someone or something because of bad actions.
[someone/something] dishonours [someone/something]
- By taking bribes, he dishonoured his office and his country.
- She felt that publishing the photos would dishonour the dead.
- Their behaviour on the field dishonoured the team's proud history.
- The soldiers who looted the village dishonoured the uniform they wore.
- He dishonoured his family when he lied in court.
- The player dishonoured the team by cheating.
- They said the film dishonoured the hero's memory.
- Such actions dishonour the name of the school.
to break a promise or agreement
To not do what you promised or agreed, and so show no respect for the promise or agreement.
dishonour [a promise/an agreement]
- The government was accused of dishonouring its election promises within a year.
- Refusing to pay his workers would be to dishonour the agreement he had signed.
- They argued that the company had dishonoured its contract with local farmers.
- To dishonour this treaty would damage the country's standing in the region.
- He dishonoured his promise to help us.
- The company dishonoured the contract and stopped the payments.
- Many voters felt the leader dishonoured his word.
- We must not dishonour the agreement we made.
person or thing that is a disgrace
A person or thing that makes a family, group, or name look bad.
[someone] is a dishonour to [group]
- They called him a dishonour to the uniform he wore.
- Her corrupt actions were a dishonour to the name she carried.
- Many saw the prison as a national dishonour.
- Such behaviour is a dishonour to the whole profession.
- They said he was a dishonour to his family.
- The cheating player is a dishonour to the sport.
- These bad schools are a dishonour to the country.
- His lies are a dishonour to the office he holds.
to refuse to pay a cheque
When a bank does not pay a cheque or similar paper when someone asks for the money.
[a bank] dishonours [a cheque/bill]
- The bank dishonoured the cheque because there were insufficient funds in his account.
- If the bill is dishonoured, you may be liable for additional charges.
- Several payments were dishonoured after the company went into liquidation.
- The bank dishonoured his cheque.
- My payment was dishonoured because I had no money in the account.
- If your cheque is dishonoured, you must pay a fee.
to rape or sexually violate (archaic)
In old writing, to rape someone or to have sex with an unmarried woman so that people see her as shamed.
dishonour [a woman/someone]
- She feared that if she were captured, the soldiers would dishonour her.
- In the novel, the villain kidnaps and dishonours the young heiress.
- The threat of being dishonoured was often used to control women's behaviour in those times.
- The story says the enemy tried to dishonour her.
- In many old books, men dishonour women and receive no punishment.
- He was jailed because he dishonoured a young woman.
- Base: dishonour
- Plural: dishonour
- Base: dishonour
- 3rd Person Singular: dishonours
- Present Participle: dishonouring
- Past: dishonoured
badge of dishonour
1a mark that shows shame
Something that clearly shows a person or group should feel shame, not pride.
- The high prison population is a badge of dishonour for the country.
- Corruption in local government has become a badge of dishonour for the region.
bring dishonour on
1cause shame to someone or something
To make a person, family, group, or country lose respect in other people's eyes.
- The scandal brought dishonour on the entire government.
- His actions on the battlefield brought dishonour on his regiment.
- They warned that cheating would bring dishonour on the team.
cover oneself in dishonour
1bring great shame on oneself
To do something very bad that makes people lose a lot of respect for you.
- He covered himself in dishonour by lying during the trial.
- The team covered themselves in dishonour with their violent behaviour on the pitch.
fall into dishonour
1lose respect and good name
To lose respect and a good name, usually because of bad actions becoming known.
- Once the fraud was exposed, he fell into dishonour and isolation.
- The party fell into dishonour after years of corruption scandals.
in disgrace and dishonour
1in a state of complete shame
In a very bad situation where everyone has lost respect for you.
- He left public life in disgrace and dishonour.
- The minister resigned in disgrace and dishonour after the report was published.
live in dishonour
1continue life without respect
To continue your life after people have lost respect for you because of something bad you did.
- He chose exile and lived in dishonour for the rest of his days.
- She refused to live in dishonour and fought to clear her name.