Verb
To defame, discredit; make someone the subject of a scandal.
(informal, dated) To inform against.
To take the bloom or freshness off something.
Source: en.wiktionary.orgGreat Britain is in a better state than at any former time to inflict a severe blow upon and to read a lesson to the United States which will not soon be forgotten. Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
Men build scales, but the gods blow upon the lighter pan. Gene Wolfe