name names

name names

To say a specific name or names when reporting bad behavior or making an accusation (as opposed to making the accusation without identifying anyone). I hate to name names, but Brian and Mitch were the ones who did the graffiti. I saw it myself. I'm not going to name names, but several of you have been coming in late and going home early. You know who you are, and it needs to stop.
See also: name
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

name names

Specify persons by name, especially those who are accused of something. For example, More than one person was involved in the robbery, and his lawyer said he would get a shorter sentence if he named names . It is also put negatively, name no names, as in Some of our neighbors disobey the town's leash law, but I'm naming no names. The negative form was first recorded in 1792.
See also: name
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

name names

If you name names, you tell someone the names of people who are responsible for something or involved in something. He was under pressure from the police to name names.
See also: name
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

name names

mention specific names, especially of people involved in something wrong or illegal.
See also: name
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

name ˈnames

give the names of people who are involved in something, especially something wrong or illegal: If the newspapers really know the people responsible for these terrible crimes, then they should name names. I won’t name names, but there are some people in this room who have broken several of the club’s rules.
See also: name
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • name no names
  • by name
  • give a bad name to, to
  • by the name (of)
  • by the name of...
  • put a name to
  • put a name to (someone or something)
  • put a name to somebody/something
  • in the name of
  • in the name of (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
While Olalia did not name names, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, longtime legal counsel of the Arroyo couple Mike and Gloria, said the P1-million bounty he was offering for the arrest of Ocampo and his fellow former Bayan Muna lawmakers Liza Maza, Teddy Casino and Rafael Mariano could be raised to P2 million.
Satur Ocampo lawyer: P1-M bounty from 'scumbags'
"He should name names. (Otherwise) He is just spreading rumors," he said in an interview.
Bishop Pabillo: 'Name names'
'The PDEA chief should name names, but only if he has evidence that can stand in court.
6 congressmen, 87 local government officials in PDEA narco list
'The point is we must name names. They did not name names, they knew who they were.
Seditious to challenge Sodomy II conviction, court told
The music mogul added: "There's one particular person who, when their playlist came on we all literally wanted to dive off the boat into the ocean, it was that bad." Come on Si, name names.
Cowell pal's tastes rock the boat; Thinking outside the box with Nicola Methven & Mark Jefferies; SQUARE EYES
Hopefully, the process of seeking responses will not water down the main findings and Chilcot will have the spinal fortitude to name names, reveal details and give the Iraqi people and the families of British service men, lost on the futile and ill-advised mission, some solace.
Let Chilcot spill the beans -- at long last
"And they need to name names they need to do the sorts of things we as prosecutors want them to do."
Feds requiring more help from companies facing criminal charges
"But it makes no sense to name names - everybody could see the mistakes - simple mistakes, which are not possible at this level, especially against a team like Manchester City.
Individual errrors cost us dearly, says boss Advocaat
"But it makes no sense to name names -- everybody could see the mistakes -- simple mistakes, which are not possible at this level, especially against a team like Manchester City.
Sunderland's cup exit against Manchester City down to individual errors, says Dick Advocaat; Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat blamed individual errors for the Black Cats' cup defeat against Man City - but refused to name names
MP: You say the only way to bore holes into the skulls of the unalive is to name names, and you're probably right ...
Dialogue de poetes to Burn Bridges or Not to Burn Bridges
TIGHT-LIPPED: Harry Redknapp had declined to 'name names'
'ARRY NO WHISTLE BLOWER; Redknapp refuses Stevie's plea to name and shame
The former Radio 2 DJ declined to name names but called for a return to politenesson the airwaves.
Jimmy rues loss of politeness
CYCLING: Brian Cookson, the president of British Cycling, has urged Lance Armstrong to name names and tell all when he addresses the damning doping accusations against him this week.
British chief urges Armstrong to tell all; SPORT newsbulletin
NEW York madam Ann Gristina has vowed to "name names" in her forthcoming book.
SCOTS MADAM TO REVEAL SECRETS OF BLACK BOOK
A fight with Londoner Kevin Mitchell, who holds the WBO intercontinental belt after a thrilling victory against John Murray, would capture the imagination of boxing fans on both sides of the border, but Burns was reluctant to name names after his latest comfortable triumph.
Champ Ricky wants big fights; SPORT SHORTS BOXING