Bad news
an annoying, disturbing, unwelcome thing or person; nuisance; troublemaker.
Contemporary Examples
This month, the number was 49.6 percent—bad news, and below 50 yet again.
Slowdown: What’s Wrong With the Real Economy? Alex Klein September 3, 2012
It was clear enough to every American that Hitler and Tojo were bad news, and that was that.
Is Obama Going to War Just to ‘Check the Box’? Lloyd Green August 30, 2013
For the Republican Party, Tuesday’s primaries contain good news and bad news.
The GOP Is Blowing It Peter Beinart June 8, 2010
Terrorism is bad news anywhere, but especially rough on Odessa, where the city motto seems to be “make love, not war.”
Is Putin Turning to Terrorism in Ukraine? Anna Nemtsova January 5, 2015
As the broadcast networks decide on their new schedules, some people get good news, and some get bad news.
Shawn Ryan: “I Don’t Want to Be a Dinosaur” Maria Elena Fernandez May 10, 2011
Historical Examples
Madame has had bad news, said Monmouth and looked at her anxiously.
Anthony Trent, Master Criminal Wyndham Martyn
You didn’t on the dock, you know, when you got the bad news.
The Lightning Conductor Discovers America C. N. (Charles Norris) Williamson and A. M. (Alice Muriel) Williamson
“Mr. Pratt brings us bad news,” the Marquis intervened suavely.
Jacob’s Ladder E. Phillips Oppenheim
“You have received some bad news, I am afraid,” said Coleman.
Frank Fairlegh Frank E. Smedley
This movement had been, moreover, determined by the bad news arriving from other parts of Paris.
Paris under the Commune John Leighton
noun
(slang) someone or something regarded as undesirable: he’s bad news around here
noun phrase
The bill for goods or services, esp a restaurant check; beef (1920s+)
Any unfortunate or regrettable situation or event: That meeting was strictly bad news (1930s+)
An ominous person; a menace: Their big new linebacker is bad news (1960s+)
An unpleasant or depressing person, esp a persistently annoying one: Isn’t she bad news since her old man left her?
[1970s+; all senses extended from the literal]
An unwelcome thing or person, trouble. For example, That fire was bad news; we were underinsured for the damage, or No one wants Mary on the board—she’s bad news. This term transfers literal bad news—the report of an unhappy recent event—to an unwanted or undesirable individual or circumstance. [ ; 1920s ]
The amount charged for something, as in Waiter, bring our check—I want to see the bad news. [ ; 1920s ]
Read Also:
- Bad news travels fast
bad news travels fast People are quick to discuss the misfortunes of others. Historical Examples bad news travels fast, and to the German people, who had been kept in ignorance of reverses, the news came with stunning effect. The Sequel George A. Taylor “bad news travels fast,” said Ballard, drawing a chair to the bedside. […]
- Bad off
not good in any manner or degree. having a wicked or evil character; morally reprehensible: There is no such thing as a bad boy. of poor or inferior quality; defective; deficient: a bad diamond; a bad spark plug. inadequate or below standard; not satisfactory for use: bad heating; Living conditions in some areas are very […]
- Bad paper
a less-than-honorable discharge from military service. Historical Examples Learn how to make that infernal note-book perfectly all right in spite of the bad paper. Rough-Hewn Dorothy Canfield One of these is the prevalence of bad paper, overladen with clay and with Modern methods. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 2 Various noun phrase Worthless […]
- Bad patch
noun a period of poor luck Examples Their marriage has hit a bad patch. Historical Examples Giving up the bad patch as hopeless, I would go on and, after I had left it behind, discover the dynamite capable of blasting it. The Life of the Fly J. Henri Fabre It was just a bad patch, […]
- Penny
a bronze coin, the 100th part of the dollars of various nations, as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States; one cent. Also called new penny. a bronze coin and monetary unit of the United Kingdom and various other nations, the 100th part of a pound. Abbreviation: p. a former bronze coin and monetary […]