Meaning & use
low reputation
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
the state of being thought of badly by most people, because of poor quality or bad behavior.
Grammar: Usually used with 'have' or 'be held in': the company has a low reputation.
Patterns
- have a low reputation
- be held in low reputation
- a low reputation for something
The hotel has a low reputation among local people, so few tourists stay there.
After the scandal, the bank was held in low reputation for years.
That website has a low reputation for accuracy, so check its facts carefully.
phrasefixed phrase
a poor public opinion of a person or group's honesty or ability.
Grammar: Often used with 'earn' or 'gain' when the bad opinion develops over time.
Patterns
- earn a low reputation
- gain a low reputation
- give someone a low reputation
He earned a low reputation as a manager because he never listened to his team.
The department gained a low reputation for missing deadlines.
One bad decision can give a whole company a low reputation.
Common combinations
- have a low reputation
- The school has a low reputation for discipline.
- a low reputation for honesty
- Politicians in that region have a low reputation for honesty.
- earn a low reputation
- The factory earned a low reputation for safety after several accidents.
- be held in low reputation
- The old theater was held in low reputation until new owners took over.
- low reputation among customers
- The brand has a low reputation among younger customers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bad name
- Informal and often used for people or products; 'low reputation' sounds slightly more formal and neutral.
- disrepute
- A formal noun meaning loss of good reputation; it is stronger and usually suggests scandal.
- ill repute
- An old-fashioned or literary phrase, often used in 'a house of ill repute'.
Opposites
Word family
- reputation noun
- The general opinion people have of someone or something.
- reputable adjective
- Having a good reputation; respected and trusted.
- reputed adjective
- Believed or said to be something, though not certain.
Commonly confused: low reputation or reputation? low reputation or reputable?
low reputation vs reputation
'Reputation' alone can be good or bad; 'low reputation' specifically means the opinion is poor.
low reputation vs reputable
This adjective always means good and trusted, so it is the opposite of having a low reputation.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'low reputation' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option A uses the fixed pattern 'have a low reputation for something' correctly, though the phrase usually describes something negative. Option B is wrong because 'low reputation' is a noun phrase and cannot follow 'is' as an adjective. Option C puts the phrase in the wrong position. Option D misses the article and the correct preposition pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “low reputation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.