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Bad Penny

What Does "Bad Penny" Mean?

homeidiomsBad Penny
"Bad penny" is an English idiom. It means "someone or something unwanted that keeps returning."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "bad penny" used in a sentence:
  • He's like a bad penny, always turning up when least expected.
  • That old rumor is like a bad penny, resurfacing every few years.
  • We thought we had solved the issue, but it keeps returning like a bad penny.
meaning for bad penny

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Bad Penny" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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