How do you use "Black sheep" in a sentence?

He's the black sheep of the family. Every family has a black sheep. She was always the black sheep.

Black sheep

Q: What does "Black sheep" mean?

The outcast or disreputable member of a group or family. The 'black sheep' is the odd one out—the family member or group member who doesn't fit, often due to bad behaviour or different values. Black sheep produce less valuable wool, making them undesirable.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: The outcast or disreputable member of a group or family.

群体或家庭中的害群之马或名声不好的成员。

El marginado o miembro de mala reputación de un grupo o familia.

グループや家族ののけ者または評判の悪いメンバー。

집단이나 가족의 왕따 또는 평판이 나쁜 구성원.

The 'black sheep' is the odd one out—the family member or group member who doesn't fit, often due to bad behaviour or different values. Black sheep produce less valuable wool, making them undesirable.

'Black sheep'（黑羊）是格格不入的人——家庭成员或群体成员中不合群的人，通常因为不良行为或不同的价值观。黑羊产出的羊毛价值较低，因此不受欢迎。

La 'oveja negra' es el diferente—el miembro de la familia o del grupo que no encaja, a menudo debido a mal comportamiento o valores diferentes. Las ovejas negras producen lana menos valiosa, haciéndolas indeseables.

「black sheep」（黒い羊）は変わり者—家族やグループの中で合わない人、しばしば悪い行いや異なる価値観のため。黒い羊は価値の低い羊毛を生産するため、望ましくないとされました。

'Black sheep'은 나쁜 행동이나 다른 가치관으로 인해 가족이나 집단에서 겉도는 사람을 뜻합니다. 검은 양은 가치가 낮은 양모를 생산해 기피 대상이었던 것에서 유래했습니다.

Examples

He's the black sheep of the family.
他是家里的害群之马
Es la oveja negra de la familia
彼は家族の厄介者だ
그는 집안의 문제아다.
Every family has a black sheep.
每个家庭都有一个害群之马
Toda familia tiene una oveja negra
どの家族にも厄介者はいる
어느 집안에나 문제아는 있다.
She was always the black sheep.
她一直是个另类
Siempre fue la oveja negra
彼女はいつも異端児だった
그녀는 항상 이단아였다.

Pronunciation

/blæk ʃiːp/

Usage Guide

Context: family, outcasts, non-conformity

Tone: descriptive, sometimes sympathetic

✓ Do Say

Black sheep
害群之马
La oveja negra
厄介者
천덕꾸러기
The black sheep of the family
家里的害群之马
La oveja negra de la familia
一家の厄介者
집안의 천덕꾸러기

Common Mistakes

Not always negative—can be said with affection

Origin & History

Black sheep were less valuable because their wool couldn't be dyed. They stood out visually and commercially, making them natural metaphors for those who don't fit in.

Etymology: Black sheep = less valuable, undesirable member of flock

First recorded: 18th century

Cultural Context

Era: 18th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Universal expression

Regional notes: English-language universal.

Variations

Black sheepThe black sheep of the family