whispering campaign

whispering campaign

The spread of rumors, with the intent of damaging a person's reputation The whispering campaign that the opposition has launched against me is just awful! I haven't done any of the things they've claimed! I'm always skeptical of the terrible allegations that come out in these whispering campaigns.
See also: campaign, whisper
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

whispering campaign

A deliberate spreading of derogatory rumors about a candidate, as in That whispering campaign destroyed his chances for election. [c. 1920]
See also: campaign, whisper
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • whisper (something) around
  • whisper around
  • pearly
  • babysit with (someone or something)
  • conflict of interest
  • conspire with
  • conspire with (one)
  • give the game away
  • give the show away
  • give the (whole) show away
References in periodicals archive
Carson lashed out with a knife because he thought mechanic Mr McCue had started a whispering campaign against him.
The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell said it was time for an end to an "untrue and deeply hurtful" whispering campaign responsible for "utterly ludicrous" allegations.
"It was an open forumwhen people expressed their views, which is much better than a whispering campaign." Kirwan's change
THE whispering campaign against Kate and Gerry McCann has become a frenzy.
Internal criticism of Drinnen's coaching has intensified since Scotland returned home with a similar whispering campaign that led to the departure of former Bears batsman Andy Moles as head coach 18 months ago.
He has not been seen since but she escaped only to face a whispering campaign about her innocence.
Before she left, she told her congregation she had been the victim of a "whispering campaign".
Now O'Connor believes the Vipers' player recruitment plans are being thwarted by a whispering campaign, with some apparently suggesting the new regime has improved little.
A female dentist claims she was sacked after becoming the victim of a whispering campaign, after her boss was disciplined for sexually harassing her.
Katherine said, ``I had no idea I had been the target of a whispering campaign with a difference.
A "whispering campaign" threatened to decimate orders for Redditch Gauge and Tool...
The Spaniard is disturbed that a Turn to whispering campaign has started in the last few days, linking other managers with his job.
THE whispering campaign against heartbroken parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, has become a frenzy.
To make matters worse, the McCanns have been subjected to a distressing whispering campaign in the Portuguese press.
Bates only stepped into the Elland Road hotseat in January, but has become concerned at a whispering campaign he feels is undermining his efforts to get Leeds back on an even keel.