ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bad apple

idiom
Meaning

A person who is not wholesome, honest, or trustworthy, especially one who has an adverse influence on others.


Origin

disputed origin

From the proverb “one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch” (or a variant thereof).

Examples
SIMPLE

He is a bad apple who causes trouble for everyone.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager fired the bad apple because his negative attitude was ruining the team's productivity.

COMPLEX

Although the organization was built on integrity, a single bad apple managed to corrupt the entire department through his dishonest business practices.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    apple of someone's eye

    The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.

  2. 02

    apple polisher

    A sycophant; a toady.

  3. 03

    bad actor

    An individual or entity with a prior criminal conviction, or who has been sanctioned by the court or regulator.

  4. 04

    bad books

    Disfavor.

  5. 05

    bad business

    Synonym of bad news (“irritating, troublesome or harmful thing, situation or person”).

  6. 06

    bad company

    The wrong crowd.

  7. 07

    bad egg

    Someone whose behaviour is reprehensible or irresponsible; a rogue.

  8. 08

    bad hair day

    A day when things seem to be unmanageable or go wrong.

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