ugly customer

American  

noun

1. a hostile or dangerous person.

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ugly customer Idioms  

1. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of ugly customer

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

He was evidently a Spaniard, and an ugly customer.

From At the Point of the Sword by Hayens, Herbert

His circle of acquaintances suffered the little ones to come unto him contrary to what you might have thought, he being but an ugly customer to look at.

From When Ghost Meets Ghost by De Morgan, William Frend

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

From His Unknown Wife by Tracy, Louis

His colour is of a dirty blue-black, and altogether he is a very ugly customer, as the unfortunate tiger usually finds.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 377, March 1847 by Various

It's an ugly customer the fever, though, Mr Whyte," observed Mr Trace; "and I calculate we ought to do him that pleasure.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine - Volume 54, No. 338, December 1843 by Various