bad news

bad news

1. slang Someone or something that is, or is perceived as, unpleasant or unsavory. Stay away from that gang of kids from the other side of town—they're bad news. Coach lets me play a lot, so if he gets fired, it will be bad news for me. Our wedding is this weekend, so a snowstorm would be bad news indeed!
2. euphemism The cost of something. I got the receipt so we can see the bad news. This dress is gorgeous, but I don't want to try it on until I find out what the bad news would be. What's the bad news? Oh, that's actually not too bad for a three-night hotel stay.
See also: bad, news
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

bad news

1. 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. [Slang; 1920s]
2. The amount charged for something, as in Waiter, bring our check-I want to see the bad news. [Slang; 1920s]
See also: bad, news
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

bad news

1. n. the bill for something. Here comes the bad news.
2. mod. unpleasant; unfortunate; repellent. That poor guy is really bad news.
See also: bad, news
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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