bad news
Americannoun
noun
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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]
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The amount charged for something, as in Waiter, bring our check—I want to see the bad news . [ Slang ; 1920s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So are the latest announcements good or bad news for the country's shipbuilders - and what's behind them?
From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026
The former is bad news; selling more common shares of a stock in free fall would dilute existing shareholders and push the price even lower.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026
Other times, of course, bad news is just bad news.
From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026
Wins for South Africa and the Czech Republic would spell bad news for Scotland, leaving the third-place finisher on four points.
From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026
“You always find out bad news before me,” Doc replied.
From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
