éclabousser

Senses

1. 1.

   to splash, to spatter

   to spray liquid droplets onto someone or something

2. 2.

   to tarnish, to sully

   to damage someone's reputation or character

Examples

• "La voiture m'a éclaboussé en passant dans la flaque."

  The car splashed me as it drove through the puddle.

• "Ce scandale l'a éclaboussé publiquement."

  This scandal tarnished his reputation publicly.

• "Les enfants s'éclaboussaient dans la piscine."

  The children were splashing each other in the pool.

Usage

Common in both literal (water, mud) and figurative (reputation, honor) contexts. The pronominal form *s'éclabousser* means "to splash each other" or reflexively "to get splashed." Standard register.