sling/throw mud
idiom
chiefly US
: to publicly say false or bad things about someone (such as a political opponent) in order to harm that person's reputation
The candidates started slinging mud (at each other) early in the campaign.
Examples of sling/throw mud in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The traditional viewpoint would be that an age old Meghan-hating tabloid is looking for any excuse to throw mud at her, however, there may be a more troubling observation lurking under the surface for the duchess.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
But another reason might be that Gadd’s self-critical approach to telling his story has stymied many of their attempts to sling mud.
—Joe Utichi, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2024
In the yard, the pair would swing on their janky swingset or throw mud patties at the side of a metal shed to see whose would slide down the fastest.
—Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 23 Apr. 2024
But so is using unnamed sources to sling mud in the media.
—Mary Anastasia O’Grady, WSJ, 8 May 2022
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
But another reason might be that Gadd’s self-critical approach to telling his story has stymied many of their attempts to sling mud.
—Joe Utichi, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2024
In the yard, the pair would swing on their janky swingset or throw mud patties at the side of a metal shed to see whose would slide down the fastest.
—Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 23 Apr. 2024
But so is using unnamed sources to sling mud in the media.
—Mary Anastasia O’Grady, WSJ, 8 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Sling/throw mud.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sling%2Fthrow%20mud. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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