damaged goods

/ (ˈdæmɪdʒd) /

Save This Word!

noun informal

a person considered to be less than perfect psychologically, as a result of a traumatic experience

a person, esp a public figure, whose reputation has been damaged

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby damaged goods

Daly, Daly City, dam, damage, damage control, damaged goods, damages, damaging, daman, Daman and Diu, Damanhur

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

How to use damaged goods in a sentence

Politico has reported that some Republican donors see Scalise as damaged goods.
The Price of Steve Scalise’s Silence|Jason Berry|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
First is the worry that everyone who is left on the dating market is damaged goods.
High Manxiety: Thirtysomething Men Are The New Neurotic Singles|Hannah Seligson|May 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Both foreshadowed Don's potential fate—as "damaged goods," like Freddy, or a victim of his own appetites, like Campbell's husband.
Mad Men’s Dramatic Déjà Vu: ‘Time Zones’ Feels Redundant|Andrew Romano|April 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Leno asked if the scandal-plagued Christie is now “damaged goods.”
John Boehner Live and Unhinged with Jay Leno|Lloyd Grove|January 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The missing leg is only the most obvious sign that Strike is damaged goods, a loner wounded by life long before he went overseas.
J.K. Rowling’s Hardboiled Hoax|Malcolm Jones|July 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The compensation they will receive for damaged goods will be totally inadequate to cover their loss.
South African Memories|Lady Sarah Wilson
In our fancy shops we have a capital collection of damaged goods, among which the flies of countless summers ‘have been roaming.’
Reprinted Pieces|Charles Dickens
Your letter of the 10th instant concerning damaged goods is received, etc.
Burroughs' Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889|Barkham Burroughs
Imperfect or damaged goods must be returned for our inspection; otherwise no allowance will be made.
Business English|Rose Buhlig
Our appearance in a shop was a signal for the damaged goods to be brought out immediately.
The Personal History of David Copperfield |Charles Dickens

Other Idioms and Phrases with damaged goods

damaged goods

A person, especially an unmarried woman who is no longer a virgin, as in A person who has sex before marriage is not considered damaged goods in this day and age. This pejorative expression transfers the reduced value of materials (stock, provisions, etc.) marred in some way to women who have had a sexual experience. [Early 1900s]