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Rotten Egg

What Does "Rotten Egg" Mean?

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"Rotten egg" is an English idiom. It means "a person who is untrustworthy, dishonest, or morally objectionable, often within a group or community; someone whose behavior is problematic or harmful."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "rotten egg" used in a sentence:
  • The team was performing well until a rotten egg joined and caused tension and conflict among the members.
  • In any organization, it's crucial to identify and address rotten eggs who may undermine teamwork and morale.
  • His reputation as a rotten egg followed him throughout his career, making it challenging to earn trust.
meaning for rotten egg

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 "Rotten Egg" 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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