Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
A person who is not wholesome, honest, or trustworthy, especially one who has an adverse influence on others.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, in-plural, often
Synonyms: rotten apple, bad seed, bad egg
Antonyms: none provided
History
From the proverb “one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch” (or a variant thereof).
Across languages
25 source translations are retained for this English entry.
