Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
a bad apple
idiom
/ə bæd ˈæp.əl/
Definition
A person whose behavior negatively influences others in a group.
Examples
- “Don’t be influenced by him; he’s just a bad apple in the group.”
- “The team was doing well until one bad apple started causing trouble.”
Meaning
The phrase suggests that one harmful individual can spoil the good of an entire group or situation.
Synonyms
- rotten apple
- negative influence
- troublemaker
