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BLACK SHEEP

‘The black sheep of the family’ is a member of a family who has a bad reputation with the rest of the family. This might be because they make bad decisions, or they don’t fall in line with other family members.

This expression can also be shortened to ‘the black sheep’.

Example Sentences

My brother is the black sheep of the family – he fell out with the rest of the family years ago and no one has spoken to him since.
Aunt Susan became the black sheep of the family after she went to prison for tax evasion.
A. Who is the black sheep of your family?
B. My little brother John. He is always in trouble and is so different from the rest of the family.

Now You Try

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