poison-pen letter

poison-pen letter

A letter that contains malicious statements or accusations about the recipient or another party. Shortly after announcing his candidacy, he received an anonymous poison-pen letter attacking his platform.
See also: letter
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

poison-pen letter

A letter, usually anonymous, that makes malicious statements about the recipient or a third party. For example, She told the police about the poison-pen letters, but they said they couldn't pursue the matter . [Early 1900s]
See also: letter
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a ˌpoison ˈpen letter

an unpleasant letter which is not signed and is intended to upset the person who receives it: Most politicians get poison pen letters, sometimes threatening their lives.
See also: letter, pen, poison
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a poison pen letter
  • paint (one) black
  • paint black
  • dine with the devil
  • sup with the devil
  • poison pen
  • do (someone) a bad turn
  • pile of crap
  • turn/twist the knife
References in periodicals archive
During the last proceeding, Muhammad Aiman Aufa told the court that he sent the poison-pen letters after seeing the victim lying on a bed with his body covered with blisters and blackish patches in room 4-10, UPNM hostel on May 22, 2017.
Friend sends poison-pen letters on abuse to Zulfarhan Osman to avoid similar treatment
Radio 4 POISON-PEN letters, dead goats and the cat is getting precariously close to getting out of Siobhan and Brian's bag.
Rural Soap Box: The Archers
ASCHOOL reunion website is in danger of becoming a haven for poison-pen letters, it has been warned.
RETRO REPORT; Unfriendly comments prompt warning
The victims of the poison-pen letters had all criticised changes to the service last November which led to rubbish piling up on the streets for weeks.
YOU'VE BIN WARNED; Threats to residents after they slam rubbish service
The firm has also received a succession of poison-pen letters through the post, with vandals also sending their company's brochures back, ripped up.
Why are the vandals doing this? TARGET: Boss sent poison pen letters says damage to property hoardings has cost him pounds 700
The truth comes out when Carl suspects that Chloe wrote the poison-pen letters that ruined his relationship with Chas.
Soapbox: CHLOE'S IN HOT WATER
One of them, who sent poison-pen letters, has now been caught and is understood to be receiving psychiatric help, but the other is still at large.
Violent letters from stalker sent to leading North broadcaster's home
Laura and Mo are sure Janine is responsible for the poison-pen letters and hatch a plan to catch her.
SOAPBOX...; (Week beginning Monday November 18)
Families were driven from their homes, and innocent men became the target for poison-pen letters when they were mistaken for known sex offenders.
Sarah Payne Murder: Paedophiles faced fury of the mob