bitter apple

American  

noun

1. colocynth.

---

bitter apple British  

noun

1. another name for colocynth

---

Etymology

Origin of bitter apple

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bitter apple

“You can also use something like bitter apple spray on the entire length of the lights, and that will deter any chewing.”

From Slate ● Dec. 7, 2019

There was now a delicate odor, everywhere, faintly, like the blossom of the little bitter apple here in your country.

From The Sleuth of St. James's Square by Post, Melville Davisson

"He's praying that you'll never be able to eat a bitter apple without making a face," she said.

From The Story Girl by Montgomery, L. M. (Lucy Maud)

Schweckerle had to bite into a bitter apple several times, as one after another of his children faithlessly abandoned him.

From The Adventures of the U-202 An Actual Narrative by Spiegel, E.

I never prayed that you couldn't eat a bitter apple.

From The Story Girl by Montgomery, L. M. (Lucy Maud)