Mike Donnelly
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BLACK SHEEP definition: 1. a person who has done something bad that brings embarrassment or shame to his or her family: 2…. Learn more.
A black sheep stands out from the flock. In the English language, black sheep is an idiom that describes a member of a group who is different from the rest, especially a family member who does not fit in. The term stems from sheep whose fleece is colored black rather than the more common white; these sheep stand out in the flock and their wool ...
Mar 24, 2024 · black sheep: [noun] a disfavored or disreputable member of a group.
Jan 31, 2024 · The term "the black sheep" is a metaphorical expression used to describe a person who is considered the odd one out or the disfavored member of a family, group, or community. The term often implies that this person is different or unconventional, sometimes in a negative way, compared to the rest. In short: It refers to someone perceived as different or an outcast in a group.
Black Sheep Definition. The origin of the term “black sheep” refers to a member of a group who is different or deviant from the norm. This phrase has its origins in the early history of sheep breeding when farmers would try to produce a flock of sheep that were all the same color. Occasionally, a black sheep would be born into a flock of ...
Jun 10, 2021 · What does the term black sheep mean? According to Collins English Dictionary, a black sheep is a noun that refers to someone who is a member of some family or group, but who is considered bad or worthless by the people in that family or group.This person might be the least reputable member of a group or an odd member of a group. Think about a black lamb in a flock of white sheep.
If you have a cousin who seems to be the one troublemaker in your family, you can call her the black sheep. In other words, she doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of your family members.
the black sheep of the family; Word Origin late 18th cent.: from the proverb there is a black sheep in every flock. Definitions on the go. Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
Black sheep definition: a sheep with black fleece.. See examples of BLACK SHEEP used in a sentence.
Aug 21, 2001 · A black sheep is a member of the group/family regarded as a disgrace, an embarrassment, a ne’er-do-well, the odd man out. The phrase arose in the late 18th century, probably from an older proverb, “There’s a black sheep in every flock.”. Black sheep, in those balmy pre-industrial days, were not as valuable as white sheep.
