black sheep
/'blækʃi:p/
Definition
- Noun:
- A person who is considered a disgrace or failure by their family or group: "black sheep" refers to a member who is viewed as different, disreputable, or unsuccessful compared to others in the family or social unit.
- A nonconformist or outcast: It can describe someone who does not adhere to the norms or expectations of their group, often leading to their marginalization.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- He was always considered the black sheep of the family because he chose art over law.
- In a company of high achievers, the underperforming employee felt like the black sheep.
Advanced Usage
- "to be the black sheep": to hold the role or reputation of the disreputable member.
- Despite his success elsewhere, he always felt he was the black sheep at family gatherings.
- "black sheep of [a group]": specifies the particular family, organization, or community.
- She became the black sheep of her graduating class after the scandal.
Variants and Related Words
- Outcast (n): A person who has been rejected or ostracized by their society or group.
- The whistleblower was treated as an outcast by his former colleagues.
- Prodigal (n): A person who leaves home and leads a wasteful life, but may return. (Often used in the phrase "prodigal son," which shares a similar concept of a wayward family member.)
- The community welcomed back the prodigal, who had changed his ways.
Synonyms
- Disgrace: A person or thing that brings shame.
- Reprobate: An unprincipled person.
- Pariah: An outcast.
Related Idioms
- The odd one out: A person or thing different from the others in a group.
- With all his siblings being doctors, he was the odd one out for being a musician.
- A sore thumb: Someone or something that is very obviously different or unsuitable. (Often "stick out like a sore thumb").
- His formal suit made him stick out like a sore thumb at the casual beach party.
Noun
-
sheep with a black coat
-
a reckless and unprincipled reprobate
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