A bad/sticky end

noun

An unfortunate or unpleasant outcome or death.

He was leading a life of crime and everyone knew it would come to a bad end.
Visual representation of "a bad/sticky end" - An unfortunate or unpleasant outcome or death

Often appears as...

  • meet a bad end
  • come to a bad end

Usage tips

Disapproving

Idiomatic

noun

A situation with an undesirable outcome, often due to the person's own actions.

If you keep on lying, you'll come to a sticky end.
Visual representation of "a bad/sticky end" - A situation with an undesirable outcome, often due to the person's own actions

Often appears as...

  • meet a sticky end
  • come to a sticky end

Usage tips

Disapproving

Idiomatic

noun

An unfortunate or unpleasant outcome or death.

He was leading a life of crime and everyone knew it would come to a bad end.
Visual representation of "a bad/sticky end" - An unfortunate or unpleasant outcome or death

Often appears as...

  • meet a bad end
  • come to a bad end

Usage tips

Disapproving

Idiomatic

noun

A situation with an undesirable outcome, often due to the person's own actions.

If you keep on lying, you'll come to a sticky end.
Visual representation of "a bad/sticky end" - A situation with an undesirable outcome, often due to the person's own actions

Often appears as...

  • meet a sticky end
  • come to a sticky end

Usage tips

Disapproving

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "a bad/sticky end"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Implication

Usually suggests the result is due to bad decisions or behavior.

Illustration for Negative Implication
After cheating everyone, he met a bad end.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Moral Undertone

Implies a sense of justice or moral lesson about life choices.

Illustration for Moral Undertone
Involved in corruption, the politician came to a bad end.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Literal

Can be figurative, not always about death, but failure or ruin.

Illustration for Not Literal
His relentless gambling led to a bad end, losing his fortune.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Implication

Usually suggests the result is due to bad decisions or behavior.

Illustration for Negative Implication
After cheating everyone, he met a bad end.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Moral Undertone

Implies a sense of justice or moral lesson about life choices.

Illustration for Moral Undertone
Involved in corruption, the politician came to a bad end.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Literal

Can be figurative, not always about death, but failure or ruin.

Illustration for Not Literal
His relentless gambling led to a bad end, losing his fortune.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Implication

Usually suggests the result is due to bad decisions or behavior.

Illustration for Negative Implication
After cheating everyone, he met a bad end.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Moral Undertone

Implies a sense of justice or moral lesson about life choices.

Illustration for Moral Undertone
Involved in corruption, the politician came to a bad end.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Literal

Can be figurative, not always about death, but failure or ruin.

Illustration for Not Literal
His relentless gambling led to a bad end, losing his fortune.
Visual representation of the word "A bad/sticky end"

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