black sheep
The term "black sheep" originates from the rare occurrence of black-fleeced sheep in a flock of white sheep, which were historically less desirable due to the inability to dye their wool.
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Definition
B2Family
(informal, idiomatic)A family member who is considered a disgrace or embarrassment due to their behavior or actions.
Example
- John is the black sheep of the family because of his constant run-ins with the law.
B2Group Dynamics
(informal, idiomatic)A person who is noticeably different from the rest of a group and often viewed negatively because of these differences.
Example
- In the conservative office environment, she was the black sheep due to her unconventional style.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "black sheep":