Bad apple Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈbæd/ /ˈæpəɫ

BAD AP-uhl

UK

bˈæd/ /ˈæpəl

BAD AP-uhl

Definition

A 'bad apple' is a person who has a negative influence on the group they belong to, often causing trouble or encouraging others to do wrong things.

Usage & Nuances

Colloquial and informal. Almost always refers to a troublesome or corrupt person within a group, not to fruit. Often used with 'a few bad apples' to suggest not everyone is bad. Not as strong as calling someone 'evil', but always negative.

• Spanish: persona problemática - elemento nocivo
• Portuguese (BR): maçã podre (figurado) - pessoa problemática
• Portuguese (PT): maçã podre (figurado) - pessoa problemática
• Chinese (Simplified): 害群之马 - 坏分子
• Chinese (Traditional): 害羣之馬 - 壞分子
• Hindi: बेकार व्यक्ति - गड़बड़ करने वाला सदस्य
• Arabic: عنصر سيئ - شخص فاسد
• Bengali: খারাপ মানুষ - দলের মন্দ সদস্য
• Russian: паршивая овца - вредитель
• Japanese: 問題児 - 厄介者
• Vietnamese: kẻ xấu - người gây rối
• Korean: 문제아 - 문제를 일으키는 사람
• Turkish: çürük elma (kişi için)
• Urdu: خراب انسان - بگڑا ہوا فرد
• Indonesian: biang kerok - si pembuat onar

Example Sentences

One bad apple can spoil the whole team.

basic

Don’t let a bad apple ruin your day.

basic

There’s always a bad apple in every class.

basic

Don’t judge the whole group just because of one bad apple.

natural

It turns out he was the bad apple causing all the trouble.

natural

We just need to get rid of the bad apple so everyone else can work in peace.

natural