ill-breeding
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - Bad manners or impoliteness resulting from a lack of proper upbringing or education: The word "ill-breeding" refers to rude or coarse behavior that stems from ignorance of social conventions or a lack of good training in manners.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- His constant interruptions during the meeting were a clear sign of ill-breeding.
- She was shocked by the ill-breeding displayed by the guest, who spoke with his mouth full.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in formal or literary contexts to critique social behavior, implying a deficiency in one's background or education rather than a momentary lapse.
- The novel's villain was marked not by evil intent alone, but by a profound ill-breeding that offended the aristocracy.
Variants and Related Words
- Ill-bred (adjective): Describing a person or their behavior as rude or uncouth due to poor upbringing.
- He was an ill-bred fellow who rarely said "please" or "thank you."
- Bad breeding (noun phrase): A near-synonymous phrase with a very similar meaning.
Synonyms
- Discourtesy: Rude or impolite behavior.
- Uncouthness: Lack of good manners, refinement, or grace.
- Boorishness: Rough and bad-mannered behavior.
Antonyms
- Good breeding: Politeness and sophistication resulting from a good upbringing.
- Courtesy: Polite behavior that shows respect for other people.
- Refinement: Elegance and sophistication in behavior or manner.
Related Idioms
- While not a phrasal verb, the concept is related to the idiom "to be born in a barn", which is a humorous criticism of someone who has poor manners, especially leaving doors open.
- Close the door! Were you born in a barn?
Noun
- impoliteness resulting from ignorance