C1 verb Formel

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.

Exemples

3 sur 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.

Famille de mots

Nom
blemish
Verb
blemish
Adjectif
blemished
Apparenté
unblemishedness
💡

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

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.

Famille de mots

Nom
blemish
Verb
blemish
Adjectif
blemished
Apparenté
unblemishedness

Collocations courantes

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

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 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.

📝

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

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.
🌍

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

Mots lis

circummintude

C1

Describing 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

C1

To 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

C1

To 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

C1

Describing 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

C1

Describing 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

C1

Describing 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

C1

Relating 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

C1

A 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

C1

Bijudary 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

C1

To 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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