ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mean streak

idiom
Meaning

A defect in character characterized by persistent nastiness, viciousness, or malevolence.


Examples
SIMPLE

He has a mean streak that makes people uncomfortable.

CONTEXTUAL

Even though he is usually polite, he has a mean streak that appears when he loses an argument.

COMPLEX

Despite his polished public persona, those who worked closely with him eventually discovered a hidden mean streak that defined his management style.

Anchors to
Related idioms4entries
  1. 01

    and I don't mean maybe

    Indicating that one is serious and not joking about a matter.

  2. 02

    golden mean

    A position of balance between excess and deficiency.

  3. 03

    mean business

    To be serious, especially where achieving a specific end against opposition is concerned.

  4. 04

    mean the world to

    To be loved or cared about a great deal by.

© 2026 English Reference