English Reference
Idiom idiom

not a pretty sight


Something disappointing, disquieting, disreputable, or otherwise unworthy of admiration.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The messy kitchen was not a pretty sight.

CONTEXTUAL

After the storm destroyed the garden, the broken trees and scattered debris were not a pretty sight.

COMPLEX

The aftermath of the failed negotiations, characterized by bitter arguments and broken promises, was certainly not a pretty sight for the shareholders.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    can't stand the sight of

    To hate vehemently; to really despise.

  2. 02

    catch sight of

    to see for a brief period; to get a glimpse of

  3. 03

    get out of my sight

    Stop bothering or harassing me; go away.

  4. 04

    hidden in plain sight

    Seemingly hidden, but actually not hidden and easy to find.

  5. 05

    hide in plain sight

    To be unnoticeable, by staying visible in a setting that masks presence.

  6. 06

    just another pretty face

    Someone who is attractive, but not too distinguished in other areas.

  7. 07

    love at first sight

    an instantaneous attraction

  8. 08

    not just a pretty face

    Something that is more useful, versatile, or intrinsically valuable than might be assumed.

Last updated August 10, 2026