black sheep

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black sheep (plural black sheep)

1. (idiomatic) A nonconformist; an unusual or unconventional person, who may be rejected or disdained by others for this reason.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:maverick

   He always was the black sheep in the family, as an artist among doctors and lawyers.

2. (idiomatic) A person who is not wholesome, honest, or trustworthy.

   Synonym: bad apple

   Antonym: golden child

   • 1871–1872, George Eliot [pseudonym; Mary Ann Evans], chapter LXXI, in Middlemarch […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to IV), Edinburgh, London: William Blackwood and Sons, →OCLC, book VII:

     “It’s just what I should have expected,” said Mr. Hawley, mounting his horse. “Any cursed alien blood, Jew, Corsican, or Gypsy.”¶ “I know he’s one of your black sheep, Hawley. But he is really a disinterested, unworldly fellow,” said Mr. Farebrother, smiling.

   • 2003 April 10, Adam Shatz, “The Native Informant”, in The Nation(US)‎, archived from the original on 27 June 2014:

     Kissinger, after all, is a figure of renown among the self-appointed leaders of "the people from whom he stems" and a frequent speaker at Jewish charity galas, whereas Ajami is a man almost entirely deserted by his people, a pariah at what should be his hour of triumph. In Arnoun, a family friend told me, "Fouad is a black sheep because of his staunch support for the Israelis."

   • 2021-2022 Winter, Albert Keiser, “Foundation Request”, in SAR Magazine, volume 116, number 3, Louisville, KY: Sons of the American Revolution, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 12, column 1:

     To get into the SAR, we all do a great deal of research into our families. It can help you connect with your family and learn about your ancestors. If you have a black sheep (we all do), you can learn from them and not do whatever it was that they did. The SAR gives you experiences you wouldn't have had otherwise.

3. (idiomatic) A worker who refuses to strike; a scab.
   • 1985, Bryn Perrins, Trade Union Law, page 232:

     It used to be the law that a black sheep could be brought into the fold of conformity: where there were 'recognised terms of employment – a standard created by a collective agreement or award covering a substantial proportion of the employers and workers in any trade or industry […]

4. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see black,‎ sheep.

   Baa baa black sheep have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, Three bags full.

• dark horse
• prodigal son
• red-headed stepchild
• white sheep