A rotten egg Meaning in English
expression
ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈɹɑtən/ /ˈɛɡ
uh RAW-tuhn EG
æɪ/ /ɹˈɒtən/ /ˈɛɡ
uh ROT-uhn EG
Definition
Literally, an egg that has gone bad. Informally, it also describes a person who behaves badly or is not trustworthy.
Usage & Nuances
Informal expression. As an insult, calling someone 'a rotten egg' is light and often playful, not harsh—frequently used towards children or in a joking tone. Do not use in formal writing. The literal sense only means a spoiled egg.
Spanish: un huevo podrido - una mala persona (figurado)Portuguese (BR): um ovo podre - pessoa má (figurado)Portuguese (PT): um ovo podre - pessoa má (figurado)Chinese (Simplified): 臭鸡蛋 - 坏人（比喻）Chinese (Traditional): 臭雞蛋 - 壞人（比喻）Hindi: सड़ा हुआ अंडा - बुरा व्यक्ति (रूपक अर्थ)Arabic: بيضة فاسدة - شخص سيء (مجازي)Bengali: পচা ডিম - খারাপ লোক (রূপক অর্থে)Russian: протухшее яйцо - плохой человек (пер.)Japanese: 腐った卵 - 悪い人（比喩的に）Vietnamese: trứng thối - người xấu (nghĩa bóng)Korean: 썩은 달걀 - 나쁜 사람(비유적)Turkish: çürük yumurta - kötü insan (mecazi)Urdu: گندہ انڈا - برا انسان (مجازاً)Indonesian: telur busuk - orang jahat (kiasan)
Example Sentences
The kitchen smells like a rotten egg.
basic
Don't eat that; it's a rotten egg.
basic
Tom played a trick and was called a rotten egg.
basic
Don’t worry, he’s just a rotten egg sometimes—he means no harm.
natural
Who let a rotten egg into our group chat?
natural
You always know a rotten egg when you see one.
natural