Meaning & use
above reproach
Last updated
Meanings
phraseidiomformalapproving
So honest and correct in behavior that nobody could fairly criticize you.
Grammar: Used after be, remain or seem: her conduct was above reproach.
Patterns
- be above reproach
- remain above reproach
The judge's record was above reproach throughout his career.
Public officials must be above reproach in the way they handle money.
The nurse's care for patients was above reproach.
phraseidiomformal
Perfect enough in standard or quality that no fault can be found, used about work or behavior.
Grammar: Can describe things as well as people.
Patterns
- keep something above reproach
The contractor's work was above reproach, and the inspectors had nothing to add.
The accounts were kept above reproach.
His loyalty to the team was above reproach.
Common combinations
- be above reproach
- A teacher must be above reproach.
- remain above reproach
- She remained above reproach even under pressure.
- conduct above reproach
- His conduct was above reproach.
- seem above reproach
- The company seemed above reproach until the audit.
- financially above reproach
- Charity officers should be financially above reproach.
Synonyms and how they differ
- blameless
- Blameless says no fault was found in a particular matter, while above reproach praises a person's overall character.
- beyond criticism
- Beyond criticism is more general and can describe anything, including a performance.
- irreproachable
- Irreproachable means the same but is a single, rather formal adjective.
- spotless
- Spotless is a more figurative image of a perfectly clean record.
Opposites
Word family
- reproach noun
- an expression of disapproval or disappointment
- reproach verb
- to criticize someone for something they did
- reproachful adjective
- expressing disapproval
- irreproachable adjective
- impossible to criticize
Commonly confused: above reproach or beyond reproach?
above reproach vs beyond reproach
Beyond reproach means the same as above reproach, and both versions are correct.
Practice
Because she handled the charity's money so carefully, her honesty was ____.
Choose one answer.
The fixed idiom is above reproach, meaning beyond criticism. Under reproach means being criticized, and the other forms are not idioms.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “above reproach”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.