mean streak, a

mean streak

An inclination, tendency, or propensity for cruelty, spite, malice, or violence. Her dad is usually a pretty nice, chilled out guy, but he gets a real mean streak when he's been drinking. I think you should take your son to a therapist—he's got a mean streak that is very uncommon in a boy his age.

See also: mean, streak

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

mean streak

Fig. a tendency for a person to do things that are mean. I think that Wally has a mean streak that no one ever saw before this incident.

See also: mean, streak

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

mean streak, a

A tendency toward nastiness. In effect, the phrase implies that a person is not entirely bad but is given to occasional spiteful or malicious behavior. The Toronto Daily Star used it on June 16, 1960: “A girl who would be attracted to Bud’s mean streak and bad temper must be a little out to lunch.” See also out to lunch.

See also: mean

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer