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poison the well

To discredit something or someone usually by presenting negative or irrelevant information; to cast aspersions

Etymology:

  • The phrase traces back to the practice of well poisoning, an ancient wartime action in which fresh water sources -accessible to an invading army - were rendered unusable upon tainting them with some kind of toxin or impurity, thereby stifling an impending attack.
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The electors widely admitted that the senator would most likely poison the well of his opponents to preserve his seat.

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Submitted by JokerGem on February 21, 2023

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zatruć studnię

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to poison the well

ne'er do wellmight as wellwell frickone may as well hang for a sheep as a l…well done my boyleave well enough alonewell and goodvery wellpoisonwell ain't that the catfish in the trapvery wellpoison penpoison tree bears poison fruitweary of well-doing

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    "poison the well." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/poison-the-well_63308>.

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