flyblown

An adjective describing something that is contaminated or spoiled, often by flies; used figuratively to mean tarnished or decayed.

• 🇫🇷Adjectif décrivant quelque chose de souillé ou de gâté, souvent par des mouches ; au sens figuré, signifie entaché, corrompu ou en décomposition.

1. Contaminated by flies C2 formal

   Something, especially food or meat, that has been spoiled by flies and is covered with their eggs or larvae.

   • The butcher threw away the flyblown meat before it could be sold.
   • They found a flyblown carcass in the abandoned barn.
   • The kitchen was so unclean that the leftovers became flyblown overnight.
   • In ancient times, flyblown food was a major cause of illness.

   🇫🇷Contaminé par les mouches

   Synonymes: maggoty

2. Foul and run-down C2 formal

   Describing a place or condition that is extremely dirty, neglected, and repulsive.

   • The hotel room was flyblown, with peeling wallpaper and a foul smell.
   • He refused to stay in that flyblown district of the city.
   • The flyblown alleyway was littered with garbage and debris.
   • The once-grand mansion had become flyblown and abandoned.

   🇫🇷Lieu sordide et délabré

   Synonymes: dingyfilthygrimyseedyshabbyslummysordidsqualid

   Antonymes: cleanhygienicimmaculatepristinesanitaryspotless

3. Tarnished reputation C2 formal

   Used figuratively to describe a person's reputation or character that has been spoiled, corrupted, or disgraced.

   • His flyblown reputation prevented him from finding honest work.
   • The scandal left the politician's name thoroughly flyblown.
   • She refused to associate with anyone whose character was flyblown.
   • Decades of corruption left the institution flyblown in the public eye.

   🇫🇷Réputation entachée

   Synonymes: corrupteddefileddisgracedstained

   Antonymes: esteemedhonorablepurerespectableunblemishedunsullieduntarnishedvirtuous

• more flyblown comparative form
• most flyblown superlative form