ugly customer

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noun

a hostile or dangerous person.

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

Origin of ugly customer

First recorded in 1805–15

Words nearby ugly customer

Ugli, uglify, ugly, Ugly American, ugly as sin, ugly customer, ugly duckling, Ugrian, Ugric, ugsome, uh

How to use ugly customer in a sentence

With an oath the Count sprang towards me, and as our swords touched I knew I had to deal with an ugly customer.
The Harmsworth Magazine, Vol. 1, 1898-1899, No. 6|Various
He must have been a hard hitter if he boxed as he preachedwhat The Fancy would call an ugly customer.
Spare Hours|John Brown
He must have been a hard hitter if he boxed as he preached—what "the fancy" would call "an ugly customer."
Scotch Wit and Humor|W. H. (Walter Henry) Howe
In Parliament and out, he was a hornet—a good thing to let alone, and an ugly customer to stir up.
The War After the War|Isaac Frederick Marcosson

But if the fact brings any consolation, I may tell you that a sea-lion when irritated can be a very ugly customer.
His Unknown Wife|Louis Tracy

Other Idioms and Phrases with ugly customer

ugly customer

An ill-natured or vicious individual, as in Watch out for Charlie when he's drinking; he can be an ugly customer. This phrase uses ugly in the sense of “mean” or “dangerous.” [c. 1800]