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Meaning of 'Give a dog a bad name'

What does the saying 'Give a dog a bad name' mean?

Idiom: Give a dog a bad name

Meaning:

A person who is generally known to have been guilty of some offence will always be suspected to be the author of all similar types of offence. Once someone has gained a bad reputation, it is very difficult to lose it.
Country: International English | Subject Area: Animals | Usage Type: Both or All Words Used
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