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# black sheep

phrase (noun phrase: the black sheep, black sheep)

«black sheep» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. a person in a family or group who is different or brings shame, often seen as a failure or troublemaker.
2. (literal) a sheep with black wool.

### In the lessons

All regions; family talk, gossip, stories.

### Examples

- He's the black sheep of the family.
- Uncle Fred, the black sheep, ran off to sea.
- In the nursery rhyme, «Baa, baa, black sheep» has three bags full.
- Gossip: «Every family has a black sheep.»
- She was proud to be the black sheep.
- Report on a story: «The black sheep of the family turns out to be the hero.»

### Note

Stands for «the odd one out», «the disgrace». Plural is also «black sheep».