砸牌子

zápáizi

idiom

Meanings

1 to ruin one's reputation; to trash a brand's good name

Characters

Examples

HSK 7-9

这种假货再卖下去，老字号的牌子就砸了。

Zhèzhǒng jiǎhuò zài mài xiàqù, lǎozìhào de páizi jiù zá le.

If they keep selling these fakes, the old brand's reputation is going to be trashed.

HSK 7-9

做医生千万不能砸自己的牌子。

Zuò yīshēng qiānwàn bùnéng zá zìjǐ de páizi.

As a doctor, you absolutely cannot ruin your own reputation.

Tips

memory

牌子 originally meant the wooden signboard hung outside a shop. Smashing the signboard means destroying the name the business is known by. The image still works for personal reputations today.

Stroke Order

砸 zá

牌 pái

子 zǐ