blot

A stain or mark against one's reputation or that of one's family. An escutcheon was a heraldic shield that bore a family's coat of arms, and thus serves as a metaphor for one's honor. I was at the top of my class in college, but that narcotics charge will be a blot on the escutcheon for years to come.

A stain or mark against one's reputation or that of one's family. An escutcheon was a heraldic shield that bore a family's coat of arms, and thus serves as a metaphor for one's honor. I was at the top of my class in college, but that narcotics charge will be a blot on my escutcheon for years to come.

To tarnish, damage, or ruin one's reputation by behaving badly or committing some mistake or social transgression. Refers to a child's copy book, the blotting (staining with ink) of which ruins one's work. Primarily heard in UK. The local councilor blotted his copy book when it came to light that he had accepted bribes to allow unregulated development projects to go ahead. I really blotted my copy book when I spilled my drink on the visiting dignitary last night.

Something that is considered unattractive that covers up or otherwise takes away from the value of something attractive. Although many people say that they want clean energy, they argue that miles of turbines on wind farms are a blot on the landscape.

Fig. a sight that spoils the look of a place. That monstrosity you call a house is a blot on the landscape. You should have hired a real architect!

Fig. to forget someone or something by covering up memories or by trying to forget. I try to blot those bad thoughts out. I tried to blot out those unhappy days.

Sl. to kill someone. (Originally underworld slang.) Sorry, chum, we got orders to blot you out. The gang blotted out the only living witness before the trial.

to make something invisible by covering it. (See also blot someone or something out.) Don't blot the name out on the application form. Who blotted out the name on this form?

to make something stop upsetting you I twist the pillow over my head to blot out the horrible sounds. She closed her eyes, trying to blot out the memory of the day's events.

something which looks unpleasant and spoils a pleasant view That new chemical factory is a real blot on the landscape.

to do something which spoils someone's opinion of you She blotted her copybook by arriving late to a meeting.

Obliterate, wipe out of existence or memory, as in At least one Indian nation was blotted out as the pioneers moved west, or The trauma of the accident blotted out all her memory of recent events. This idiom, first recorded in 1516, uses the verb to blot in the sense of making something illegible by spotting or staining it with ink. The New Testament has it (Acts 3:19): "Repent ye ... that your sins may be blotted out."

Dishonor to one's reputation.

bringing dishonor or shame to oneself and one's family. “Escutcheon” is the heraldic term for the shield on which a family's coat of arms is painted. One with a blot, in the sense of blemish, would look as though there were something wrong, which is what The phrase is meant to convey. When Uncle Fred was hauled off to jail for embezzlement, he not only disgraced himself, he brought shame to his wife, his children, and any living parents. His crime was thus a metaphorical blot on the family escutcheon.