What Does "Not a Pretty Sight" Mean?
"Not a pretty sight" is an English idiom. It is an expression used to describe something that is unpleasant or unattractive to look at.Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "not a pretty sight" used in a sentence:- The aftermath of the storm was not a pretty sight; there was debris everywhere.
- Seeing the kitchen after the cooking experiment was not a pretty sight.
- He showed up to the party after a long hike, and he was not a pretty sight.
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 "Not a Pretty Sight" 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.
A Quick Test
You now know what "not a pretty sight" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!Gold
Silver
Bronze
- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?