mud sticks

mud sticks

It is very difficult to change bad impressions and opinions people hold about someone. Even though no charges were ever brought against her, a great number of people still viewed the candidate as some kind of criminal. Mud sticks, after all.
See also: mud, stick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

mud sticks

mainly BRITISH
If you say that mud sticks, you mean that when something bad is said about someone, people will continue to believe it, although it may have been proved to be completely untrue. Everyone around thought that this kid had done something wrong and although it had not been proved, mud sticks. Note: People sometimes use this expression in different tenses. Whether he's innocent or not, some of the mud has stuck. Unfortunately for Mason, whatever the outcome of the trial, he will never be able to walk away from this story without some of the mud sticking.
See also: mud, stick
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

mud sticks

disparaging or malicious allegations are difficult to disprove or shake off.
See also: mud, stick
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌmud ˈsticks

(also if you ˌthrow enough ˈmud, ˌsome of it will ˈstick) (saying) people remember and believe the bad things they hear about other people, even if they are shown to be false: Although he was proved innocent, mud sticks, and he found it very difficult to get a job afterwards.
See also: mud, stick
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • quot homines tot sententiae
  • tot
  • in common
  • in common (with someone or something)
  • in common with somebody/something
  • slings and arrows
  • the slings and arrows
  • agitate
  • agitate against
  • a value judgement
References in periodicals archive
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But to highlight a few cliches trust is hard to earn and easily lost, mud sticks is another term that comes to mind!
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The problem is, once you get labelled, mud sticks and now any tiny mistake is magnified.
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It is painfully clear that even if these claims come to nothing, the mud sticks, with those on the receiving end having to run a gauntlet of whispers, distrust and undeserved shame.
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Let's face it, mud sticks. When you are nine and you wet yourself in the school playground, 20 years later, your hilarious friends might still be calling you Soggy.
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