a bad penny always turns up
This saying originates from the idea that counterfeit coins would repeatedly circulate and reappear, symbolizing the inevitability of unwelcome or troublesome entities returning.
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Definition
C1General
(informal)An unwelcome person or thing tends to reappear or return unexpectedly.
Example
- Just when we thought we'd gotten rid of him, he showed up again. A bad penny always turns up.
C1General
(informal)Issues caused by improper actions eventually resurface.
Example
- She ignored the problem for too long, and now it's back. A bad penny always turns up.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "a bad penny always turns up":