HIS NAME IS DENNIS (or MUD), phr. (American).—A phrase indicative of collapse or defeat: TO BE SENT UP SALT RIVER (q.v.); TO BE PLAYED OUT (q.v.).
TO TAKE ONE’S NAME IN VAIN, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To mention by name: the person spoken of having unexpectedly or accidentally overheard.
1708–10. SWIFT, Polite Conversation. Neverout. … Smoke Miss yonder biting her lips …. (Miss). Who’s that TAKES MY NAME IN VAIN?
TO PUT ONE’S NAME INTO IT, verb. phr. (tailors’).—To get a thing well forward; to greatly advance a matter.
