a blot on (one's) escutcheon

A stain or mark against one's reputation or that of one's family. An escutcheon was a heraldic shield that bore a family's coat of arms, and thus serves as a metaphor for one's honor. I was at the top of my class in college, but that narcotics charge will be a blot on my escutcheon for years to come.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Selah	SEE-lə (English)	Biblical
Hardy	HAHR-dee	English
LucrÈCe	-	French
Gallagher	GAL-ə-gər	Irish, English (Rare)
Lucas	LOO-kəs (English), LUY-kahs (Dutch), luy-KAH (French), LOO-kəsh (Portuguese), LOO-kahs (Spanish)	English, Dutch, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Biblical Latin
Koert	KOORT	Dutch