Linguist Geoff Nunberg says the phrase may owe its popularity to a change in meaning — and The Osmond Brothers. In English, a bad apple is one person who has a negative effect on others in a group. If you eat well and your diet includes a lot of fruits and vegetables, there will be no need to visit the doctor. The phrase "a few bad apples" is much more popular now than it was decades ago. See more. There may be a difference between the "one bad apple" phrase and the "few bad apples" excuses. rotten apple; Translations . If one apple is rotten, other apples in the barrel will become rotten, too. 1. a bad apple . Bad Apple synonyms. However, the apple in this proverb means eating healthy in general. This is the idea behind this English idiom. If anyone still harbors the fantasy that the business scandals of the past few years were the handiwork of just a few bad apples, they should read John Bogle's "Battle for the Soul of Capitalism." Top synonyms for bad apple (other words for bad apple) are bad egg, rotten apple and black sheep. Rotten fish and apples usually don't reach the supermarket. Bad apple definition, a discontented, troublemaking, or dishonest person: In any group of average citizens there are bound to be a few bad apples. An apple is full of Vitamin C, which keeps you healthy. "Bad apple" has remained because it has meaning that is applicable to modern life. An idiom is a word, group of words or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal definition. Bad apple is an idiom that is taken from a proverb. The early bird catches the worm. Sayings like these have fallen out of use because people don't have to inspect the fish they have caught or the apples they have picked before they eat them. Imagine a barrel of apples. This proverb is a lot like the phrase first come, first served. I read an article from NPR that explored the etymological history of the proverb: “A few bad apples spoil the barrel.” According to the article, the majority meaning for “a few bad apples” has completely reversed from its original import:. From the proverb “one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch” (or a variant thereof). Synonyms . A cop or pol is accused of something and a spokesperson for the police department or the political party protests that to the affect that there will always be a "few bad apples" so don't pass judgment on the department or party (Who really should be vetting their persons.). Pronunciation . Often using descriptive imagery, common idioms are words and phrases used in the English language in order to convey a concise idea, and are often spoken or are considered informal or conversational. It simply means that it’s usually best to be early. For example, a group of friends isn’t sure what to do after school.