in a bad light
idiom
: in a way that makes someone or something look bad
The defendants were shown/depicted in a bad light by the lawyer.
Examples of in a bad light in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her message to the man who tried to help Pep was not to paint him in a bad light—quite the opposite.
—
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
Still, the series claims that law enforcement painted the Ramseys in a bad light.
—Alessa Dominguez, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
Foxy Brown is addressing those who keep trying to use her name to paint Jay-Z in a bad light.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 7 Oct. 2024
Last week's debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump produced fewer policy specifics than voters wanted, but along the way Harris succeeded in painting Trump in a bad light.
—G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for in a bad light 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
Still, the series claims that law enforcement painted the Ramseys in a bad light.
—Alessa Dominguez, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
Foxy Brown is addressing those who keep trying to use her name to paint Jay-Z in a bad light.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 7 Oct. 2024
Last week's debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump produced fewer policy specifics than voters wanted, but along the way Harris succeeded in painting Trump in a bad light.
—G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for in a bad light
Dictionary Entries Near in a bad light
Cite this Entry
“In a bad light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20a%20bad%20light. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share