# leave a sour taste in one's mouth

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/leave-a-sour-taste-in-ones-mouth
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To give one an unpleasant feeling or memory.

## Examples

- The argument left a sour taste in my mouth.
- Even though the project finished on time, the way the manager treated the team left a sour taste in my mouth.
- The politician's dishonest behavior during the final debate left a sour taste in the mouths of many voters who had previously supported him.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.