C1idiompoliticsIELTS-friendly
a smear campaign
USUK
an organised attempt to damage someone's reputation with lies
Often 'launch', 'run' or 'face a smear campaign'. The verb is 'smear someone'.
In context
The mayor accused his rivals of running a smear campaign against his family.
A smear campaign on social media almost ended the singer's career.
More idioms about politics
- a double standarda rule applied more strictly to one group than to another
- a grey areaa situation where the rules are unclear, so nobody is sure what is allowed
- a hidden agendaa secret reason or plan behind what someone says or does
- a hot potatoa difficult issue that people disagree about and nobody wants to deal with
- a lame ducka politician or government with little real power, often near the end of a term in office