speak ill of

speak ill of (someone or something)

To say malicious, objectionable, or defamatory things about someone or something. I've just always had the philosophy that it does no good to speak ill of anyone, so instead I direct that energy toward finding solutions to problems. Anyone who speaks ill of the government in this country runs the risk of being thrown in prison, or worse. You say we shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but we should never forget the misdeeds of those who were once in power, lest history repeats itself.
See also: ill, of, speak
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

speak ill of someone

to say something bad about someone. I refuse to speak ill of any of my friends. Max speaks ill of no one and refuses to repeat gossip.
See also: ill, of, speak
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

speak/think ˈill of somebody

(formal) say or think bad things about somebody: You shouldn’t speak ill of the dead.
See also: ill, of, somebody, speak, think
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • speak ill of (someone or something)
  • speak/think ill of somebody
  • don't speak ill of the dead
  • never speak ill of the dead
  • you shouldn't speak ill of the dead
  • oughtta
  • there ought to be a law
  • There ought to be a law!
  • there oughta be a law
  • throw enough dirt, and some will stick
References in periodicals archive
Biden pledged to run a positive campaign, promising to "not speak ill of any of the Democratic candidates," and predicting the large field of candidates will be "winnowed out pretty quickly."
Joe Biden woos voters and scoops up campaign cash in Los Angeles
"Leo is a friend of mine and I'd never speak ill of a friend," Maradona assured Spanish sports newspaper Marca on Wednesday.
Maradona denies Messi criticism
Funny how the people who want rid of blasphemy would almost accuse you of that crime if you dare speak ill of a certain president.
AS you are probably []
Lastly, let me point out that if you want to test whether Raila is still the man of the moment, just speak ill of him in public or private - you will face the reaction.
Migori by-election was not about Raila but about issues
"I just want to let the world know that Onika Tanya Maraj would never, has never and will never speak ill of anyone's child," she concluded.
Nicki Minaj opens up about NYFW brawl with Cardi B
Miandad said the masses were aware of who the real culprits were and who had dissipated the finances, adding, I would never speak ill of a person who has been struggling for the past 20 years.
Javed Miandad retracts statement alleging winning candidates of 'horse trading'
For instance, we don't speak ill of the dead because they can no longer defend themselves.
Respect the dead
A few parents told me they were afraid people would speak ill of their children.
My daughter has taught me all about cerebral palsy
Islamabad -- MNA Ayesha Gulalai has claimed that the ruling PML-N had offered her a ticket for the upcoming Senate elections, but she turned down the proposal as it came with the requirement that she speak ill of the country's armed forces.
PML-N offers me Senate ticket in exchange of maligning army: Gulalai
The 44-year-old singer admitted that "I'm against anyone speak ill of others, especially when they're someone with a long, successful and international career like Diab's."
Carole Samaha reveals the real reason behind her feud with Elissa
But Ricky, 77, said it was "wrong to speak ill of the dead."
New Order? Hook's out of order
Addressing his followers from London via phone, Hussain also asked MQM leaders to not to speak ill of their opponents at the public rallies and corner meetings.
Beat me if you can, Altaf dares rivals
Loathe as we are to speak ill of the great Vivienne Westwood, this Wcreased baby blue taffeta affair, from the Dame's spring 2015 collection, has overtones of unmade bed about it, while the horns should have been put away at Halloween.
dressed in the dark dressed in the dark
Loathe as we are to speak ill of the great Vivienne Westwood, this creased baby blue taffeta affair, from the Dame's spring 2015 collection, has overtones of unmade bed about it, while the horns should have been put away at Halloween.
dressed in the dark
Damien Schmitz, who runs a kebab shop in Paris, puts it more bluntly: by criticising the kebab, he says, "you can speak ill of Muslims without speaking ill of Muslims." Introduced by Turkish immigrants to Paris in the 1990s, the doner kebab--where meat is carved off an upright rotating spit and served in a flatbread with salad and spicy sauce--quickly found favour with France's North African population raised on spiced halal meat in tagines and stews.
Kebabs catching up fast with French appetite