ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bad news

idiom
Meaning

An irritating, troublesome or harmful object, situation or individual.


Examples
SIMPLE

That mosquito is bad news.

CONTEXTUAL

I told her that guy was bad news, but she didn't listen.

COMPLEX

The dark clouds gathering on the horizon were bad news for the sailors who had set out that morning with fair weather.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bad actor

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

  2. 02

    bad apple

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

  3. 03

    bad books

    Disfavor.

  4. 04

    bad business

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

  5. 05

    bad company

    The wrong crowd.

  6. 06

    bad egg

    Someone whose behaviour is reprehensible or irresponsible; a rogue.

  7. 07

    bad hair day

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

  8. 08

    bad iron

    bad luck.

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