name-drop

name-drop
name-drops, name-dropping, name-dropped
If you say that someone name-drops, you disapprove of them referring to famous people they have met in order to impress people.

[V n] The assistant carried on talking to his mate, name-dropping all the famous riders he knew...

I must stop saying everyone famous is a good friend. It sounds as if I'm name-dropping.

Derived words:
name-dropper plural N-COUNT

Press agents are notorious name-droppers.

name-dropping N-UNCOUNT

One can do a lot of name-dropping with names of the school's parents. President Nixon sent his daughters there.


English dictionary. 2008.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • name-drop — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ intransitive verb Etymology: back formation from name dropper & name dropping : to engage in name dropping we name drop in order to establish some contact with a tradition more acceptable than our own Clifton Fadiman * * * ˈname drop… …   Useful english dictionary

  • name-drop|ping — «NAYM DROP ihng», noun. the act of using a well known person s name in conversation and implying acquaintance with him to make one seem important: »He mentioned associations with Russian leaders so numerous and so mighty in power as to expose… …   Useful english dictionary

  • name-drop|per — «NAYM DROP uhr», noun. a person who practices name dropping …   Useful english dictionary

  • name-drop — /ˈneɪm drɒp/ (say naym drop) verb (i) (name dropped, name dropping) to mention casually in conversation the names of prominent people as though they are personal friends, in order to impress. –name dropper, noun –name dropping, noun …  

  • name-drop — /naym drop /, v.i., name dropped, name dropping. to indulge in name dropping. [1950 55] * * * …   Universalium

  • name-drop — intransitive verb see name dropping …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • name-drop — See: name dropping …   English dictionary

  • drop a name / drop names — pretend you know famous people, name dropper    He was dropping names at the interview Klein, Clinton, etc …   English idioms

  • name-drop — verb To casually mention a well known or illustrious person or the titles of their works, often implying familiarity or association, especially in order to impress others, increase ones status, or to appear knowledgeable or fashionable …   Wiktionary

  • name-drop — mentions the names of important or well known people as if they are close acquaintances in order to make an impression on others …   English contemporary dictionary

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