ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bad trip

idiom
Meaning

An acute adverse psychological reaction to the effects produced under the influence of psychoactive substances, namely hallucinogens.


Origin

first recorded 20th c.

From bad + trip, first use appears c. 1966 in the periodical Life.

Examples
SIMPLE

He had a bad trip after taking those drugs.

CONTEXTUAL

The music festival turned scary when my friend started having a bad trip and needed help.

COMPLEX

The experience was a terrifying bad trip that left him feeling anxious and disoriented for several days afterward.

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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