ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bad news bears

idiom
Meaning

Said of someone or something that will bring disaster or bad fortune to one.


Origin

first recorded 20th c.

Presumably a reference to the 1976 sports comedy film The Bad News Bears.

Examples
SIMPLE

Stay away from him, he is bad news bears.

CONTEXTUAL

I would avoid that new business partner because he is bad news bears for our company.

COMPLEX

The seasoned detective warned his rookie partner that the informant was bad news bears and likely to lead them into a dangerous trap.

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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