ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bad taste in one's mouth

idiom
Meaning

A feeling that something is morally despicable as to cause nausea.


Origin

disputed origin

Refers to the feeling of nausea or its aftereffects.

Examples
SIMPLE

The unfair decision left a bad taste in my mouth.

CONTEXTUAL

When the company fired him without warning, it left a bad taste in everyone's mouth.

COMPLEX

The politician's hollow apology, delivered only after public pressure, left a bad taste in the voters' mouths and damaged his credibility beyond repair.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    acquired taste

    Something that is appreciated only after having initially been regarded as unappealing or unpleasant; a person who is regarded as difficult or dislikable but of whom at least some have grown to approve.

  4. 04

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  5. 05

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  6. 06

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  8. 08

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

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