Bad rap versus Bad rep

What is the Difference Between Bad Rap and Bad Rep?

When to Use Bad Rap

Bad rap is a noun phrase. A bad rap is basically a negative reputation.

In this phrase, bad is an adjective, while rap means negative allegations. The word rap has a similar meaning in the phrase rap sheet, which is a criminal record.

When to Use Bad Rep

Bad rep is misspelling of the phrase bad rap. It probably stems from the use of rep as an abbreviation of reputation, and the similarity in sound of rep and rap.


Summary

Is it bad rap or bad rep? A bad rap is a negative reputation based on allegations of misconduct.

Bad rep is a misspelling based on the phonological similarity of rap and rep, and on the use of rep as an abbreviation for reputation.