One rotten apple will spoil the whole barrel. or One scabbed sheep mars the whole flock
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Meaning · English
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
Sources & notes
Listed on English Wikiquote “English proverbs” (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-31).
Common questions
What does “One rotten apple will spoil the whole barrel. or One scabbed sheep mars the whole flock” mean?
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
Is “One rotten apple will spoil the whole barrel. or One scabbed sheep mars the whole flock” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.