bring out the worst in
idiom
: 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
At work and elsewhere, there are people who bring out the worst in us, belittle us, or just bring us down.
—
Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 13 May 2021
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 | Jtalty@al.com, 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
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
Kansas can bring out the worst in you.
—Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 17 Sep. 2022
Forrest Fenn’s treasure could bring out the worst in people.
—Isabella Rosario, Outside Online, 5 Sep. 2022
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Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 13 May 2021
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 | Jtalty@al.com, 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
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
Kansas can bring out the worst in you.
—Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 17 Sep. 2022
Forrest Fenn’s treasure could bring out the worst in people.
—Isabella Rosario, Outside Online, 5 Sep. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Bring out the worst in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bring%20out%20the%20worst%20in. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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