damn by association

damn by association

To condemn, vilify, or discredit someone or something due to an association with a particular person, group, or thing. The multinational corporation was damned by association when it came to light that an employee of one of its subsidiaries belonged to a white supremacist organization. After the terrorist attack, many people were quick to damn by association anyone who belonged to the same faith as the terrorists.
See also: by, damn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • doom (someone or something) to (something)
  • doom to
  • always the bridesmaid
  • always the bridesmaid, never the bride
  • bride
  • bridesmaid
  • (one) ain't particular
  • ain't particular
  • blow (up)on (someone or something)
  • blow on it
References in periodicals archive
Moreover, linking Islamic Fundamentalism to fascism, which was in general hostile to organized religion, needs to be argued very carefully if it is not to appear as a latter-day form of the totalitarian argument, where the main object is to damn by association. Nor is there any overarching specific theory of why fascism succeeded or failed.