bring out the worst in

phrase

: to cause someone to show his or her worst qualities

I think competition brings out the worst in people.

Drinking brings out the worst in him.

Examples of bring out the worst in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

My projections bring out the worst in me, and that brings out the worst in you. — Erica Ariel Fox, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2023

The traditional ways of ending romantic relationships often bring out the worst in people, but a different kind of road map for a breakup could help both parties move on in most humane way possible, and ease a little of the inevitable pain. — Maggie Mertens, The Atlantic, 9 Nov. 2022

There’s something about playing in the state of Alabama that seems to bring out the worst in Lane Kiffin’s coaching tendencies. — John Talty | [email protected], al, 31 Oct. 2021

Something about this season seems to bring out the worst in everyone. — David Moore, Dallas News, 3 Nov. 2020

The prospect of a Biden administration declaring the mask policy for every corner of America sounds like pouring gasoline on another cultural brushfire that seems to bring out the worst in people. — Jim Geraghty, National Review, 1 Sep. 2020