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Ugly American

What Does "Ugly American" Mean?

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"Ugly American" is an English idiom. It refers to Americans abroad who are perceived as arrogant, ignorant, or culturally insensitive. originates from the novel 'the ugly American' by william lederer and eugene burdick.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "ugly American" used in a sentence:
  • Many tourists behave like the ugly American, not taking the time to learn about local customs.
  • She didn't want to come across as an ugly American, so she took time to research the culture before her trip.
  • It's important not to be the ugly American when traveling to another country.
meaning for ugly American

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 "Ugly American" 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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