Bad taste in one's mouth

From Fresh Dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Noun phrase 1.3 Quotations 1.4 See also

English

Etymology

Refers to the feeling of nausea or its aftereffects.

Noun phrase

bad taste in one’s mouth

1. ((idiomatic{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}})) A feeling something is morally despicable as to cause nausea.

   The more I thought of my orders, the more it left a bad taste in my mouth.

2. ((idiomatic{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}})) A feeling of guilt, responsibility, or embarrassment as to cause nausea.

   Knowing that I had inadvertently aided a killer, left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

3. ((idiomatic{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}})) A feeling of disappointment and frustration.

Quotations

2005: “Our goal was to get to the Final Four, compete for the national championship,” Williams said. “It just leaves a bad taste in your mouth, not getting to cut down the nets.” — Long Distance Drought: Illinois goes 12-for-40 from behind the arc Associated Press, April 4, 2005

See also

• bad taste
• hard to swallow
• have the stomach for it