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.
While Pershing’s move isn’t a surprise after Universal Music rejected its offer, it is bad news for the company nevertheless, ING analysts David Vagman and Maxime Stranart said in a research note.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
The bad news: We often go about it incorrectly.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026
The bad news boomerang of Lord Mandelson's appointment continues to whizz around and whack this government at regular intervals - and inflict ongoing headaches.
From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026
And it may be bad news for the highest-paid athletes.
From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026
Mothers and wives were always calm when bad news came.
From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell
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.
