# not a pretty sight

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/not-a-pretty-sight
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- The messy kitchen was not a pretty sight.
- After the storm destroyed the garden, the broken trees and scattered debris were not a pretty sight.
- The aftermath of the failed negotiations, characterized by bitter arguments and broken promises, was certainly not a pretty sight for the shareholders.

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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.