Definition of 'bad apple'

Word Frequency

bad apple in British

or rotten apple

a person with a corrupting influence

apple

Word Frequency

bad apple in British

(bæd ˈæpəl)

noun

especially US

a person who is corrupt or wicked

It is hoped the inquiry will pick out the bad apples in the police force.

When you've got a bad apple in the barrel, you've got to throw it out.

They made it clear that they are not going to tolerate a bad apple in the United States Senate.

Example sentences containing 'bad apple'

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The central question is, bad apples or bad barrels? Times, Sunday Times (2016)They may use it to sort out the bad apples in the barrel and try to cleanse the organisation of its alleged endemic corruption. Times, Sunday Times (2010)

Trends of 'bad apple'

Used Rarely. bad apple is in the lower 50% of commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Nearby words of 'bad apple'

Related Terms of 'bad apple'

bad apple

Source

Definition of bad apple from the Collins English Dictionary

Form of adverbs

Most adverbs are formed by adding -ly to the end of the related adjective. slow slowly clever cleverly annual annually Exceptionally, words which end in -ble drop off the -e before -ly is ...