damaged goods

British  

/ ˈdæmɪdʒd /

noun

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

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

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damaged goods Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

Now they’re stuck having to find a solution for Crosby, a disgruntled player who had already packed his bags and may now be viewed as damaged goods.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

The garments association has asked all its members to submit a list of damaged goods to determine the full extent of the losses.

From BBC • Oct. 20, 2025

Trout might be viewed as damaged goods, but, well, he’s Mike Trout.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2023

Even worse, autistic children were raised to view themselves as "damaged goods" in need of fixing, which has "caused a great deal of harm to autistic people and their families," Waltz said.

From Salon • Jun. 30, 2023

They should be bulletproof, and bully proof, I thought, looking at all the gear John gave us, now a pile of damaged goods.

From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds