Names are part of who we are. We hear them every day at school, home, and in stories. But sometimes, names are used in special ways that don’t mean exactly what they say. These are called idioms. Idioms are fun phrases that have a different meaning than the words alone.
Idioms about names don’t just talk about people—they help us describe actions or feelings. For example, if someone “drops a name,” it doesn’t mean they actually dropped something. It means they are trying to impress others. In this article, we’ll explore 35 idioms that use names in interesting ways and learn what they really mean.
Idioms About Names
1. Name-drop
Meaning: To mention famous people you know to seem important.
Example Sentence:
• Jake kept name-dropping the actors he met in New York.
• She likes to name-drop when she talks about her uncle in the NBA.
Other ways to say: Brag, show off
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from people trying to impress others by saying names of famous people.
Usage: When someone tries to act cool by talking about who they know.
2. Make a name for yourself
Meaning: To become well-known or respected.
Example Sentence:
• She made a name for herself by winning the spelling bee.
• He made a name for himself in baseball.
Other ways to say: Become famous, get noticed
Fun Fact/Origin: This means your name becomes known to more people.
Usage: When someone becomes known for doing something good.
3. In name only
Meaning: Someone has a title but doesn’t do the job.
Example Sentence:
• He’s the leader in name only—the coach makes all the choices.
• She’s class president in name only.
Other ways to say: Just a title, not real power
Fun Fact/Origin: It means having a name without real meaning.
Usage: When someone has a role but doesn’t really do the work.
4. Call someone names
Meaning: To say mean things to someone.
Example Sentence:
• The bully was calling kids names during lunch.
• Don’t call people names; it hurts their feelings.
Other ways to say: Insult, tease
Fun Fact/Origin: This is about using hurtful or rude words.
Usage: When someone is being unkind with words.
5. Clear your name
Meaning: To prove you didn’t do something wrong.
Example Sentence:
• He wanted to clear his name after being blamed.
• She cleared her name when they found the real thief.
Other ways to say: Prove innocence, fix reputation
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the idea that your name is like your honor.
Usage: When someone wants to fix what others think about them.
6. Drag someone’s name through the mud
Meaning: To say bad things about someone to ruin their reputation.
Example Sentence:
• They dragged her name through the mud after the argument.
• He didn’t deserve to have his name dragged through the mud.
Other ways to say: Gossip, ruin reputation
Fun Fact/Origin: Like making someone’s name dirty.
Usage: When people are being unfair and saying mean things about someone.
7. Take someone’s name in vain
Meaning: To use someone’s name disrespectfully, often about God.
Example Sentence:
• You shouldn’t take anyone’s name in vain.
• Mom told us not to take the Lord’s name in vain.
Other ways to say: Speak badly about, disrespect
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the Bible, meaning to speak without respect.
Usage: When someone uses a name without care or respect.
8. Your name is mud
Meaning: You’re in trouble or not trusted anymore.
Example Sentence:
• After breaking the vase, her name was mud at home.
• His name was mud after losing the team’s money.
Other ways to say: In big trouble, not trusted
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of someone’s name being dirty.
Usage: When someone is in trouble with others.
9. Go by the name of
Meaning: To be known as something or someone.
Example Sentence:
• He goes by the name of DJ Max.
• At school, she goes by the name Liz.
Other ways to say: Called, known as
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom means what people call you, even if it’s not your real name.
Usage: When someone uses a different name.
10. Put your name on the line
Meaning: To risk your reputation for something.
Example Sentence:
• He put his name on the line for that plan.
• She put her name on the line to help her friend.
Other ways to say: Take a big risk, trust someone
Fun Fact/Origin: Like signing something that shows your trust.
Usage: When someone risks their good name for someone or something.
11. One’s name is written all over it
Meaning: It’s clear who did it or who it belongs to.
Example Sentence:
• This drawing has your name written all over it—it’s your style!
• That prank had Jake’s name written all over it.
Other ways to say: Clearly belongs to, obviously done by
Fun Fact/Origin: Doesn’t mean a real name is written, just that it seems obvious.
Usage: Used when something is clearly connected to someone.
12. Make a bad name for yourself
Meaning: To get a bad reputation.
Example Sentence:
• He made a bad name for himself by cheating.
• She made a bad name for herself by being mean.
Other ways to say: Become disliked, known for bad things
Fun Fact/Origin: The opposite of “make a name for yourself.”
Usage: When someone becomes known for the wrong reasons.
13. In someone’s good books
Meaning: To be liked or approved by someone.
Example Sentence:
• She’s in the teacher’s good books after helping clean up.
• I’m trying to stay in Mom’s good books this week.
Other ways to say: Liked, favored
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from keeping records of who’s behaved well.
Usage: When someone wants to be on another person’s good side.
14. In someone’s bad books
Meaning: To be disliked or in trouble with someone.
Example Sentence:
• He’s in the coach’s bad books for being late.
• I’m in Dad’s bad books after I forgot to do chores.
Other ways to say: In trouble, out of favor
Fun Fact/Origin: Like being listed in a book of wrongdoers.
Usage: When someone has upset another person.
15. Name is on everyone’s lips
Meaning: Everyone is talking about that person.
Example Sentence:
• After the game-winning goal, her name was on everyone’s lips.
• His name is on everyone’s lips after the talent show.
Other ways to say: Getting attention, being talked about
Fun Fact/Origin: A way to say people are speaking someone’s name a lot.
Usage: When someone becomes popular or famous.
16. Know someone by name
Meaning: To recognize someone’s name, but not know them well.
Example Sentence:
• I know her by name, but we’ve never talked.
• He knows the principal by name only.
Other ways to say: Recognize, have heard of
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in schools or towns where names are known.
Usage: When you’ve heard of someone but don’t know them personally.
17. To be a big name
Meaning: To be famous or important.
Example Sentence:
• She’s a big name in science fairs.
• That company is a big name in sports gear.
Other ways to say: Well-known, famous
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to names that lots of people know.
Usage: When someone or something is very popular.
18. Bring shame to someone’s name
Meaning: To do something that hurts your family’s or your own reputation.
Example Sentence:
• He brought shame to the family name by lying.
• Don’t bring shame to your name by cheating.
Other ways to say: Embarrass, dishonor
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on the idea that your name stands for your character.
Usage: When someone behaves badly and affects how others see them.
19. Drop names like confetti
Meaning: To brag often by saying lots of famous people you know.
Example Sentence:
• She drops names like confetti at every party.
• He was dropping names like confetti to impress us.
Other ways to say: Brag a lot, show off
Fun Fact/Origin: Like tossing names around in every sentence.
Usage: Used when someone keeps bragging about connections.
20. Your name rings a bell
Meaning: Sounds familiar but not sure why.
Example Sentence:
• Her name rings a bell, but I can’t remember where I heard it.
• That actor’s name rings a bell.
Other ways to say: Sounds familiar, might remember
Fun Fact/Origin: Like a bell going off in your memory.
Usage: When something seems familiar but not clear.
21. All name, no game
Meaning: Someone is known but not very good at what they do.
Example Sentence:
• He talks a big game, but he’s all name, no game.
• The team was all name, no game last night.
Other ways to say: Not as good as they say
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in sports or performance.
Usage: When someone is popular but not skilled.
22. Put a name to a face
Meaning: To match a person’s name with what they look like.
Example Sentence:
• I saw her at school but couldn’t put a name to her face.
• He finally put a name to the face after the meeting.
Other ways to say: Recognize someone
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used after meeting someone.
Usage: When trying to remember someone you’ve seen before.
23. Be a household name
Meaning: To be very well known by most people.
Example Sentence:
• Nike is a household name in sportswear.
• She became a household name after the talent show.
Other ways to say: Famous everywhere
Fun Fact/Origin: Means a name known in many homes.
Usage: When someone or something is very popular.
24. Name and shame
Meaning: To publicly say someone did something wrong.
Example Sentence:
• They named and shamed students who didn’t return books.
• The news named and shamed the company for cheating.
Other ways to say: Call out, expose
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used to warn others.
Usage: When someone is called out for bad behavior.
25. To be on first-name terms
Meaning: To know someone well enough to use their first name.
Example Sentence:
• She’s on first-name terms with the mayor.
• We’re on first-name terms with the librarian now.
Other ways to say: Friendly with, close to
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows you know someone well.
Usage: When someone is familiar or friendly with another.
26. Have a good name
Meaning: To be known as a good person.
Example Sentence:
• She has a good name at school because she always helps others.
• The family has a good name in the neighborhood.
Other ways to say: Respected, well-liked
Fun Fact/Origin: Your “name” can mean your reputation.
Usage: When someone is known for being kind or honest.
27. Name of the game
Meaning: The main idea or goal.
Example Sentence:
• Teamwork is the name of the game in basketball.
• In school, learning is the name of the game.
Other ways to say: Main idea, most important part
Fun Fact/Origin: From sports—what the game is really about.
Usage: When you talk about what really matters in something.
28. Make your name
Meaning: To become known or respected.
Example Sentence:
• He made his name in science after winning the award.
• She made her name as a great reader.
Other ways to say: Become known, earn respect
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to “make a name for yourself.”
Usage: When someone becomes known for doing well.
29. Your name is up
Meaning: It’s your turn or you’re in trouble.
Example Sentence:
• When the teacher called my name, I knew my name was up.
• His name is up—he’s next to give his speech.
Other ways to say: It’s your turn, you’re in the spotlight
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from posting names on lists or boards.
Usage: When someone is next in line or has to face something.
30. Have a name for something
Meaning: To be known for a certain quality.
Example Sentence:
• She has a name for being honest.
• That store has a name for great service.
Other ways to say: Known for, has a reputation
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used to describe someone’s habits.
Usage: When someone is known for a trait or skill.
31. To take someone’s name
Meaning: To marry and use their last name.
Example Sentence:
• She took his name after they got married.
• My aunt didn’t take her husband’s name.
Other ways to say: Use a new last name
Fun Fact/Origin: A tradition in many cultures.
Usage: When a person changes their name after marriage.
32. Name names
Meaning: To say exactly who did something.
Example Sentence:
• He refused to name names after the prank.
• The teacher asked her to name names, but she stayed quiet.
Other ways to say: Identify people, tell on someone
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used when trying to find the person responsible.
Usage: When someone is asked to tell who did something.
33. Have your name on it
Meaning: It’s meant for you.
Example Sentence:
• That slice of cake has your name on it!
• This job has her name on it.
Other ways to say: Just for you, perfect match
Fun Fact/Origin: Meant to be funny or sweet, not literal.
Usage: Used when something fits someone perfectly.
34. In the name of
Meaning: For the purpose of something.
Example Sentence:
• They planted trees in the name of the Earth.
• She spoke out in the name of fairness.
Other ways to say: For, on behalf of
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in speeches or causes.
Usage: When doing something for a bigger reason.
35. To name but a few
Meaning: Only listing a few out of many.
Example Sentence:
• I like soccer, baseball, and tennis, to name but a few.
• She knows Spanish, French, and German, to name but a few.
Other ways to say: Just a few examples
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows there are more than what was said.
Usage: When listing a few items from a bigger group.
Quiz: Idioms About Names
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “name-drop” mean?
A) To forget someone’s name
B) To mention famous people you know
C) To lose your nametag
2. If someone is “in name only,” what does that mean?
A) They are pretending to be someone else
B) They have a title but don’t really do the job
C) They changed their name
3. What does “clear your name” mean?
A) To erase your name from a list
B) To pick a new name
C) To prove you didn’t do something wrong
4. If your “name is mud,” what does that mean?
A) You’re very popular
B) You’re in trouble or not trusted
C) Your name is dirty
5. What does “call someone names” mean?
A) To give someone a nickname
B) To use mean words about someone
C) To forget someone’s name
6. If something has “your name on it,” what does it mean?
A) It’s meant for you
B) It has your writing on it
C) It belongs to someone else
7. What does “put a name to a face” mean?
A) To draw a picture of someone
B) To remember what someone looks like
C) To give someone a nickname
8. What does “make a name for yourself” mean?
A) To create a fake name
B) To become known or respected
C) To get a new last name
9. If someone “names names,” what are they doing?
A) Writing a list of baby names
B) Saying who did something wrong
C) Making up silly names
10. What does “bring shame to someone’s name” mean?
A) To ruin a family’s or person’s reputation
B) To forget how to spell someone’s name
C) To speak someone’s name loudly
11. If someone “drops names like confetti,” what are they doing?
A) Making lots of name tags
B) Saying random names at a party
C) Bragging by talking about famous people
12. If something is “the name of the game,” what does that mean?
A) It’s the real goal or focus
B) It’s about naming the winner
C) It’s the title of a board game
13. What does it mean to “have a name for something”?
A) To invent a new word
B) To be known for doing something
C) To call someone a new name
Answer Key
- B) To mention famous people you know
- B) They have a title but don’t really do the job
- C) To prove you didn’t do something wrong
- B) You’re in trouble or not trusted
- B) To use mean words about someone
- A) It’s meant for you
- B) To remember what someone looks like
- B) To become known or respected
- B) Saying who did something wrong
- A) To ruin a family’s or person’s reputation
- C) Bragging by talking about famous people
- A) It’s the real goal or focus
- B) To be known for doing something
Wrapping Up
Idioms about names are fun and easy to use. They help us talk about respect, actions, and how people are seen by others. These phrases don’t always mean what the words say, but they make our language more interesting.
Now that you’ve learned 35 idioms and taken a quiz, you’ll start noticing these phrases in stories, shows, and real life. Try using one the next time you speak or write!