leave a sour taste in one's mouth

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Meaning · English

Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.

Where it’s used: Used Widespread English
Sources & notes

Listed in Wiktionary’s “English idioms” category (retrieved 2026-07-29); definition pending editorial review.

Common questions

What does “leave a sour taste in one's mouth” mean?

Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.

Is “leave a sour taste in one's mouth” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.