bad company
The wrong crowd.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He is bad company for you.”
“His parents worry that he is falling in with bad company at his new school.”
“The mentor warned the young student that keeping bad company would eventually compromise his reputation and hinder his professional development.”
- 01
bad actor
An individual or entity with a prior criminal conviction, or who has been sanctioned by the court or regulator.
- 02
bad apple
A person who is not wholesome, honest, or trustworthy, especially one who has an adverse influence on others.
- 03
bad books
Disfavor.
- 04
bad business
Synonym of bad news (“irritating, troublesome or harmful thing, situation or person”).
- 05
bad egg
Someone whose behaviour is reprehensible or irresponsible; a rogue.
- 06
bad hair day
A day when things seem to be unmanageable or go wrong.
- 07
bad iron
bad luck.
- 08
bad joke
A situation that is badly planned, or illogical.
Last updated August 10, 2026