How to Pronounce "the black sheep of the family"
expression
thuh BLAAK sheep uhv thuh FAM-uh-lee
thuh bl-AAK sheep ov thuh FAM-ih-lee
Definition
A person in a family who is considered different, often in a negative way, and does not fit in with the rest.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈbɫæk/ /ˈʃip/ /ˈəv/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈfæməɫi/, /ˈfæmɫi
British English
ðə, ði/ /blˈæk/ /ʃˈiːp/ /ˈɒv/ /ðə, ði/ /fˈæmɪli
Simplified Pronunciation
US
thuh BLAAK sheep uhv thuh FAM-uh-lee
UK
thuh bl-AAK sheep ov thuh FAM-ih-lee
Listen in Context
Jake is the black sheep of the family because he loves rock music and travels a lot.
My uncle jokes that he is the black sheep of the family.
She felt like the black sheep of the family because she didn't want to become a doctor.
I guess I'm the black sheep of the family—everyone else is so serious, and I just want to have fun.