name names

name names

To say a specific name or names when reporting bad behavior or making an accusation (as opposed to making the accusation without identifying anyone). I hate to name names, but Brian and Mitch were the ones who did the graffiti. I saw it myself. I'm not going to name names, but several of you have been coming in late and going home early. You know who you are, and it needs to stop.See also: name

name names

Specify persons by name, especially those who are accused of something. For example, More than one person was involved in the robbery, and his lawyer said he would get a shorter sentence if he named names . It is also put negatively, name no names, as in Some of our neighbors disobey the town's leash law, but I'm naming no names. The negative form was first recorded in 1792. See also: name

name names

If you name names, you tell someone the names of people who are responsible for something or involved in something. He was under pressure from the police to name names.See also: name

name names

mention specific names, especially of people involved in something wrong or illegal.See also: name

name ˈnames

give the names of people who are involved in something, especially something wrong or illegal: If the newspapers really know the people responsible for these terrible crimes, then they should name names. ♢ I won’t name names, but there are some people in this room who have broken several of the club’s rules.See also: name