Something bad spoils everything or someone bad can spoil others

Etymology:

  • However, the history of this phrase goes back in the mid of 16th century. It is considered to be a reality that one rotten apple actually spoils the entire barrel of apples. Rottenness is easier to spread and this particular phrase is now associated to people. Someone who’s dishonest or corrupt can spoil others.
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This government official is corrupt and he’s the one rotten apple who spoils the barrel.

Submitted on February 25, 2019

Translation

Find a translation for the Rotten Apple Spoils the Barrel phrase in other languages:

shnilé jablko kazí barel

manzana podrida estropea el barril

pomme pourrie gâte le tonneau

सड़ा हुआ सेब बैरल को खराब कर देता है

腐ったリンゴはバレルを台無しにする

ಕೊಳೆತ ಸೇಬು ಬ್ಯಾರೆಲ್ ಅನ್ನು ಹಾಳು ಮಾಡುತ್ತದೆ

썩은 사과는 배럴을 망친다

maçã podre estraga o barril

ruttet äpple förstör fatet

แอปเปิ้ลเน่าเสียถัง

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    "Rotten Apple Spoils the Barrel." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/rotten-apple-spoils-the-barrel_44993>.

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