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

An ugly customer to get across with, was my verdict.

From The Man Without a Memory by Marchmont, Arthur W. (Arthur Williams)

"That 'u'd be a ugly customer to meet on a dark road," he said, holding it up for the others to see.

From Westerfelt by Harben, Will N. (William Nathaniel)

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

“She will prove an ugly customer to deal with, depend on it.”

From Fred Markham in Russia The Boy Travellers in the Land of the Czar by Landells, R. T.

He was very roughly dressed on the day of the raid, and in every sense of the word he looked like an "ugly customer."

From The Strange Story of Harper's Ferry With Legends of the Surrounding Country by Barry, Joseph