ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ugly customer

idiom
Meaning

Someone or something unwelcome or unpleasant.


Examples
SIMPLE

That stray dog is an ugly customer.

CONTEXTUAL

The security guard had to deal with an ugly customer who refused to leave the store after closing time.

COMPLEX

The negotiator realized he was dealing with an ugly customer, a man whose reputation for hostility and stubbornness preceded him in every boardroom.

Anchors to
Related idioms4entries
  1. 01

    beat with the ugly stick

    Used to describe someone who is particularly ugly or unattractive.

  2. 02

    fall out of the ugly tree and hit every branch

    To become extremely unattractive.

  3. 03

    ugly American

    An American government representative, tourist, or businessperson who, in dealing with people of other nations, is haughty, rude, meddlesome, chauvinistic, or jingoistic.

  4. 04

    ugly duckling

    A young person who is ugly, but who is expected to become beautiful or handsome as they mature.

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