blot
a blot on (one's) escutcheon
A stain or mark against one's reputation or that of one's family. An escutcheon was a heraldic shield that bore a family's coat of arms, and thus serves as a metaphor for one's honor. I was at the top of my class in college, but that narcotics charge will be a blot on my escutcheon for years to come.
See also: blot, escutcheon, on
a blot on the escutcheon
A stain or mark against one's reputation or that of one's family. An escutcheon was a heraldic shield that bore a family's coat of arms, and thus serves as a metaphor for one's honor. I was at the top of my class in college, but that narcotics charge will be a blot on the escutcheon for years to come.
See also: blot, escutcheon, on
a blot on the landscape
Something that is considered unattractive that covers up or otherwise takes away from the value of something attractive. Although many people say that they want clean energy, they argue that miles of turbines on wind farms are a blot on the landscape.
See also: blot, landscape, on
blot (one's) copy book
To tarnish, damage, or ruin one's reputation by behaving badly or committing some mistake or social transgression. Refers to a child's copy book, the blotting (staining with ink) of which ruins one's work. Primarily heard in UK. The local councilor blotted his copy book when it came to light that he had accepted bribes to allow unregulated development projects to go ahead. I really blotted my copy book when I spilled my drink on the visiting dignitary last night.
See also: blot, book, copy
blot out
1. To cover something so that it cannot be seen or read. A noun or pronoun can be used between "blot" and "out." Be sure to blot out all the other names on this list before you put it in the employee's file.
2. To prevent something from being noticeable or entering one's awareness. A noun or pronoun can be used between "blot" and "out." Your curtains aren't opaque enough to blot out all of the sunlight.
3. To avoid thinking about something, often because it is stressful or traumatic. A noun or pronoun can be used between "blot" and "out." Many trauma victims try to blot out the horrific things that have happened to them.
4. To kill someone. A noun or pronoun can be used between "blot" and "out." Ray blotted out the informant, just as the boss told him to.
5. To completely destroy something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "blot" and "out." This illness threatens to blot out an entire generation. The fire blotted out all of our belongings.
See also: blot, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
blot on the landscape
Fig. a sight that spoils the look of a place. That monstrosity you call a house is a blot on the landscape. You should have hired a real architect!
See also: blot, landscape, on
blot someone or something out
Fig. to forget someone or something by covering up memories or by trying to forget. I try to blot those bad thoughts out. I tried to blot out those unhappy days.
See also: blot, out
blot someone out
Sl. to kill someone. (Originally underworld slang.) Sorry, chum, we got orders to blot you out. The gang blotted out the only living witness before the trial.
See also: blot, out
blot something out
to make something invisible by covering it. (See also blot someone or something out.) Don't blot the name out on the application form. Who blotted out the name on this form?
See also: blot, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
blot out
Obliterate, wipe out of existence or memory, as in At least one Indian nation was blotted out as the pioneers moved west, or The trauma of the accident blotted out all her memory of recent events. This idiom, first recorded in 1516, uses the verb to blot in the sense of making something illegible by spotting or staining it with ink. The New Testament has it (Acts 3:19): "Repent ye ... that your sins may be blotted out."
See also: blot, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
a blot on the landscape
If a building or other structure is a blot on the landscape, it is very ugly and spoils a place which is otherwise attractive. The power station is both a blot on the landscape and a smear on the environment. Urban cemeteries, it seems to me, are blots on the landscape.
See also: blot, landscape, on
a blot on your escutcheon
ora blot on the escutcheon
BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONEDIf there is a blot on your escutcheon, you have damaged your reputation by doing something wrong. For the leaders, this is probably a blip rather than a blot on the escutcheon. Note: An escutcheon is a shield, especially a heraldic shield displaying a coat of arms.
See also: blot, escutcheon, on
blot your copybook
BRITISHIf you blot your copybook, you damage your reputation by doing something wrong. Their relationship had been so perfect. Until he'd blotted his copybook with Susan, that is. Note: You can also say that there is a blot on your copybook. In fact, just about the only blot on his copybook so far was a missed penalty against Arsenal 10 days ago. Note: In the past, schoolchildren had `copybooks'. These were books of examples of handwriting, with spaces for the children to copy it.
See also: blot, copybook
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
blot your copybook
tarnish your good reputation. BritishA copybook was an exercise book with examples of handwriting for children to copy as they practised their own writing.
See also: blot, copybook
a blot on the escutcheon
something that tarnishes your reputation.An escutcheon was a family's heraldic shield, and so also a record and symbol of its honour.
See also: blot, escutcheon, on
a blot on the landscape
something ugly that spoils the appearance of a place; an eyesore. 1962 Listener Charabancs and monstrous hordes of hikers are blots upon the landscape.
See also: blot, landscape, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
blot your ˈcopybook
(old-fashioned, informal) spoil a previously good record: He paid back the money he had stolen, but he had blotted his copybook and couldn’t hope for promotion.A copybook was an exercise book with printed examples of good writing for children to copy. If you blotted it, you accidentally spoiled it by making a mark with ink on it.See also: blot, copybook
a blot on the ˈlandscape
a thing, especially an ugly building, that spoils the appearance of a place: That power station is rather a blot on the landscape.See also: blot, landscape, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
blot someone out
tv. to kill someone. (Underworld.) They blotted out the witness before the trial.
See also: blot, out, someone
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
a blot on (one's) escutcheon
Dishonor to one's reputation.
See also: blot, escutcheon, on
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
a blot on the escutcheon
bringing dishonor or shame to oneself and one's family. “Escutcheon” is the heraldic term for the shield on which a family's coat of arms is painted. One with a blot, in the sense of blemish, would look as though there were something wrong, which is what The phrase is meant to convey. When Uncle Fred was hauled off to jail for embezzlement, he not only disgraced himself, he brought shame to his wife, his children, and any living parents. His crime was thus a metaphorical blot on the family escutcheon.
See also: blot, escutcheon, on
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
- a blot on (one's) escutcheon
- a blot on escutcheon
- a blot on the escutcheon
- a blot on your escutcheon
- at (one's) doorstep
- at doorstep
- at expense
- at somebody's expense
- at someone's expense
- at (one's) expense