C1 verb Formal

blemish

/ˈblɛm.ɪʃ/

To spoil or damage the perfection, quality, or appearance of something, often by adding a physical mark or a moral flaw. It is frequently used figuratively to describe the act of tarnishing a person's reputation or a clean record of achievement.

Ejemplos

3 de 5
1

A single scratch on the hood of the luxury car will blemish its overall aesthetic value.

A single scratch on the hood of the luxury car will blemish its overall aesthetic value.

2

The committee was concerned that any hint of scandal might blemish the institution's long-standing reputation.

The committee was concerned that any hint of scandal might blemish the institution's long-standing reputation.

3

Don't let that one small argument blemish what has been a fantastic weekend.

Don't let that one small argument blemish what has been a fantastic weekend.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
blemish
Verb
blemish
Adjetivo
blemished
Relacionado
unblemishedness
💡

Truco para recordar

Think of the word 'blame' mixed with 'finish'. If you get the 'blame' for a mistake, it might 'finish' (blemish) your perfect record.

Quiz rápido

The minor legal infraction threatened to _______ his otherwise perfect professional record.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: a

Ejemplos

1

A single scratch on the hood of the luxury car will blemish its overall aesthetic value.

everyday

A single scratch on the hood of the luxury car will blemish its overall aesthetic value.

2

The committee was concerned that any hint of scandal might blemish the institution's long-standing reputation.

formal

The committee was concerned that any hint of scandal might blemish the institution's long-standing reputation.

3

Don't let that one small argument blemish what has been a fantastic weekend.

informal

Don't let that one small argument blemish what has been a fantastic weekend.

4

Scholars argue that certain historical inaccuracies blemish the overall validity of the primary source.

academic

Scholars argue that certain historical inaccuracies blemish the overall validity of the primary source.

5

The late delivery threatened to blemish the company's track record for reliability in the international market.

business

The late delivery threatened to blemish the company's track record for reliability in the international market.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
blemish
Verb
blemish
Adjetivo
blemished
Relacionado
unblemishedness

Colocaciones comunes

blemish a reputation to damage a person's good name
blemish a record to spoil a perfect history or track record
seriously blemish to cause significant damage to the quality of something
blemish the surface to physically mark or scar the exterior
blemish a career to ruin or stain a professional standing

Frases Comunes

unblemished record

a perfect history with no mistakes or crimes

without a blemish

perfectly clean, pure, or without flaws

blemish one's copybook

to do something that spoils your reputation (British idiom)

Se confunde a menudo con

blemish vs blame

Blemish refers to a flaw or the act of marking something; blame is the act of assigning responsibility for a fault.

blemish vs blotch

A blotch is specifically a large, irregular patch of color, whereas a blemish is any small flaw or a figurative stain on character.

📝

Notas de uso

Blemish is most effective when describing a loss of perfection. While it can describe physical marks (like skin spots or metal scratches), it is highly valued in C1-level English for describing abstract concepts like integrity, reputations, or academic records.

⚠️

Errores comunes

Learners often limit 'blemish' to skincare contexts. Remember that in professional and academic settings, it is a powerful verb for describing damage to abstract ideals like 'purity' or 'truth'.

💡

Truco para recordar

Think of the word 'blame' mixed with 'finish'. If you get the 'blame' for a mistake, it might 'finish' (blemish) your perfect record.

📖

Origen de la palabra

Derived from Middle English 'blemisshen', from Old French 'blemiss-', a stem of 'blemir' meaning 'to make pale' or 'to injure'.

Patrones gramaticales

Transitive verb: requires a direct object (e.g., 'to blemish something'). Often used in the passive voice (e.g., 'The surface was blemished'). Regular conjugation: blemish, blemished, blemished.
🌍

Contexto cultural

In Western corporate culture, maintaining an 'unblemished record' is a common phrase used during background checks and performance reviews to signify total reliability.

Quiz rápido

The minor legal infraction threatened to _______ his otherwise perfect professional record.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: a

Palabras relacionadas

complement

A2

A thing that completes or brings to perfection something else. In grammar, it refers to a word or phrase that follows a verb and provides more information about the subject or object.

compound

A2

Describes something that is made of two or more separate parts or elements joined together. It is often used to talk about words, sentences, or chemical substances that have multiple components.

conceive

A2

To form an idea, plan, or concept in the mind. It is also the medical term used to describe when a woman becomes pregnant.

confer

A2

To discuss something with other people in order to reach a decision or exchange ideas. It can also mean to officially give an honor, title, or degree to someone.

conform

A2

To behave according to rules, standards, or what is expected by a group of people. It means to fit in or act in a way that matches others.

consecutive

A2

Following one after another in a continuous series without any breaks. It describes things that happen in a logical order, like numbers (1, 2, 3) or days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).

consistency

A2

Consistency is the quality of always acting or behaving in the same way. it also describes how thick or smooth a liquid or substance is.

disclude

B1

Describing a state where someone or something is left out, omitted, or not allowed to participate in a group or activity. It refers to the condition of being kept apart from a whole or a set.

antiformous

B1

Describes a shape or structure that is curved or folded upwards like an arch. It is most often used in geology and geometry to describe a convex surface.

interspect

B1

Describing a person who is thoughtful and focused on their own internal thoughts and feelings. It refers to the act of looking inward to examine one's own emotions and motives rather than focusing on external things.

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