bad apple

noun

plural bad apples
: someone who creates problems or causes trouble for others
They'll look for telltale signs that your broker's a bad apple: too much trading … or investments that are clearly too risky for someone like you.Daniel McGinn
often, specifically : a member of a group whose behavior reflects poorly on or negatively affects or influences the remainder of the group
As in many industries, this could well be a case of a few bad apples tarnishing the reputation of the rest. Ian Giles
One bad apple in the bunch can destroy the cohesiveness of the team. Do-It-Yourself Retailing
… that individual brings down the rest of the team. This is the "one bad apple spoils the whole bunch" theory in action. Shep Hyken
Most people will be able to recall a situation where the bad mood or negative attitude of a colleague affected their workplace. As the saying goes, one bad apple spoils the whole damn bunch. Rebecca Jordan

Examples of bad apple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are a few really bad apples out there. Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025 There wasn’t a bad apple in the bunch. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025 The aim is to create a healthier, fairer and professional work environment, because one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025 Besides, if one bad apple can spoil the whole barrel, then just imagine the good that Maria could do by removing it from the rest of the bunch. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bad apple

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bad apple was in 1938

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Cite this Entry

“Bad apple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bad%20apple. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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