one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Synonym of one bad apple can spoil the barrel.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch” mean?
Synonym of one bad apple can spoil the barrel.
Is “one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.