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to turn up like a bad penny
01
to reappear where one is not welcome or needed
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Idiom
Informal
Old useWhat is the origin of the idiom "turn up like a bad penny" and when to use it?
The phrase "turn up like a bad penny" is an idiomatic expression that originated in the 18th century. It refers to someone or something that keeps reappearing, often when they are unwelcome or unwanted. The "bad penny" in the phrase alludes to a counterfeit or defective coin, which nobody wants. So, when someone or something "turns up like a bad penny," it means they keep showing up even when they are not wanted or expected.
Example
My annoying neighbor has a way of turning up like a bad penny whenever I'm enjoying a quiet moment on my porch.
I try to avoid Jessica, but wherever I go she turns up like a bad penny!
I thought I had finally gotten rid of that broken-down car, but it turned up like a bad penny in my driveway again.
No matter where I go, my old high school rival always seems to turn up like a bad penny.
The troublemaker at work can't resist turning up like a bad penny in every meeting to disrupt things.
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