repute
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house of ill repute
euphemism A place where prostitutes are available for hire; a brothel. Please don't tell me that the media got a picture of the senator leaving a house of ill repute over the weekend. Though obviously in decline in recent years, houses of ill repute can still be found in the seedier parts of the city. A: "I've heard rumblings that Tom's new girlfriend used to work at a house of ill repute." B: "Whoa! Does he know that?"
man of ill repute
euphemism A man who is dishonest, wicked, or immoral; a scoundrel or criminal. That John Grimsby is a man of ill repute, Timothy. It is best that you avoid him entirely. That dark place serves as the meeting ground for various men of ill repute from across the city.
woman of ill repute
euphemism A female prostitute. The house is said to belong to a woman of ill repute. He has wasted thousands of dollars on gambling and women of ill repute.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
house of ill repute
and house of ill fameEuph. a house of prostitution. The sign says "Health Club," but everyone knows it's a house of ill repute. He made a lot of money by running a house of ill fame.
woman of ill repute
Euph. a prostitute. His favorite companion was a woman of ill repute. If you can't be faithful to your husband, you're no better than a woman of ill repute.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.