blemish
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.
Exemples
3 sur 5A 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.
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.
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.
Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Think of the word 'blame' mixed with 'finish'. If you get the 'blame' for a mistake, it might 'finish' (blemish) your perfect record.
Quiz rapide
The minor legal infraction threatened to _______ his otherwise perfect professional record.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : a
Exemples
A single scratch on the hood of the luxury car will blemish its overall aesthetic value.
everydayA single scratch on the hood of the luxury car will blemish its overall aesthetic value.
The committee was concerned that any hint of scandal might blemish the institution's long-standing reputation.
formalThe committee was concerned that any hint of scandal might blemish the institution's long-standing reputation.
Don't let that one small argument blemish what has been a fantastic weekend.
informalDon't let that one small argument blemish what has been a fantastic weekend.
Scholars argue that certain historical inaccuracies blemish the overall validity of the primary source.
academicScholars argue that certain historical inaccuracies blemish the overall validity of the primary source.
The late delivery threatened to blemish the company's track record for reliability in the international market.
businessThe late delivery threatened to blemish the company's track record for reliability in the international market.
Famille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
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)
Souvent confondu avec
Blemish refers to a flaw or the act of marking something; blame is the act of assigning responsibility for a fault.
A blotch is specifically a large, irregular patch of color, whereas a blemish is any small flaw or a figurative stain on character.
Notes d'usage
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.
Erreurs courantes
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'.
Astuce mémo
Think of the word 'blame' mixed with 'finish'. If you get the 'blame' for a mistake, it might 'finish' (blemish) your perfect record.
Origine du mot
Derived from Middle English 'blemisshen', from Old French 'blemiss-', a stem of 'blemir' meaning 'to make pale' or 'to injure'.
Modèles grammaticaux
Contexte culturel
In Western corporate culture, maintaining an 'unblemished record' is a common phrase used during background checks and performance reviews to signify total reliability.
Quiz rapide
The minor legal infraction threatened to _______ his otherwise perfect professional record.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : a
Vocabulaire associé
Mots lis
circummintude
C1Describing a quality or approach that is all-encompassing yet expressed indirectly or through its peripheral elements. It suggests a comprehensive state of being that surrounds a central point without addressing it explicitly.
synmultery
C1To synchronize and manage multiple diverse streams of information or tasks into a single coherent operation. It is often used in high-level technical or organizational environments to describe the seamless integration and simultaneous execution of parallel processes.
hypertendism
C1To subject a system, social structure, or individual to chronic and excessive stress or tension until it reaches a state of instability. It involves the active process of pushing limits to the point of structural or psychological fatigue.
prelaudhood
C1Describing the period, state, or quality of existence before an individual or entity has received public acclaim or significant praise. It specifically refers to the formative and often obscure years prior to achieving widespread recognition.
bisonence
C1Describing a sound, resonance, or vibration that possesses two distinct tonal qualities or frequencies occurring simultaneously. It is most frequently used in specialized acoustic analysis and advanced music theory to describe complex auditory phenomena.
homoprimious
C1Describing something that shares the same primary origin or occupies the same initial position within a sequence across different systems or groups. It is typically used in specialized academic contexts to denote foundational elements that are uniform in their starting state.
intramodant
C1Relating to or occurring strictly within a single mode, channel, or system of operation without crossing over into others. It is often used in technical or academic contexts to describe data processing or sensory input that is contained within one specific modality.
anpacancy
C1A state of chronic or unresolved vacancy in a physical or digital space, typically resulting from systemic failure, legal deadlocks, or economic stagnation. Unlike a standard vacancy, it implies a prolonged period during which a functional space remains unoccupied despite its potential utility.
bijudary
C1Bijudary refers to a collective assortment of jewelry, trinkets, or small personal ornaments, often characterized by intricate or delicate craftsmanship. It can also describe the trade of a jeweler or the specific location where such finery is sold.
comcitful
C1To actively foster or manifest communal spirit and civic responsibility through collaborative action. It describes the process of integrating oneself into a community by fulfilling social duties and promoting harmony.
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