bad penny
The phrase "bad penny" originates from the notion of counterfeit or damaged coins, but it is commonly used idiomatically to describe unwelcome people or things that keep reappearing.
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Definition
C1General
(idiomatic)A person or thing that is unwelcome or unpleasant but repeatedly appears.
Example
- Like a bad penny, he showed up again just when we thought we were rid of him.
C1General
(idiomatic)An individual who habitually causes trouble or problems.
Example
- She’s like a bad penny, always turning up and causing chaos.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "bad penny":
a bad penny always turns upbad eggold pennybad namedead money