A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X -
Y - Z
Learn English Idioms
A list of English idioms with definitions and examples:
a bad penny
The phrase a bad penny refers to a person or thing which is unpleasant,
dishonorable, or unwanted that is likely to reappear, particularly at inconvenient
times.
The phrase a bad penny is usually used in the proverb:
A bad penny always turns up.
The origin of the phrase
The phrase 'a bad penny always turns up' is a very old saying. It is worthwhile noting
that pennies were ripe targets for counterfeiters. When people discovered that those
counterfeited pennies had reached their pockets, the only solution available was to
try to spend them as quickly as possible. But because everyone was trying to get rid
of those 'bad pennies', the chance of encountering the very same one you had spent
earlier was quite high. Accordingly, the phrase 'bad penny' became an expression
referring to an unpopular or undesired thing or person that keeps reappearing.
We thought we wouldn't see John again after what he did, but he showed up at the
party - a bad penny always turns up.
Category | money
a bit of fluff
(Also a bit of skirt.) A sexually attractive woman.
I saw him yesterday with a bit of fluff.
Category | sexuality