verb
- to attack or defeat a political nominee or candidate unfairly through an organized campaign of harsh public criticism or vilification
Usage: informal; political; derived from Robert Bork, whose 1987 Supreme Court nomination was rejected after intense opposition
noun
- the act or process of attacking or defeating a political nominee through organized public criticism
Usage: informal; political
Examples
- Critics accused the opposition party of borking the judicial nominee.
- The borking of the candidate began weeks before the confirmation hearing.
- Some observers worry that borking has become standard practice in Senate confirmations.
- The media played a significant role in borking the nominee's reputation.
- Supporters of the judge argued that borking was unfair and based on ideology rather than qualifications.
- The intense borking campaign ultimately led to the withdrawal of the nomination.