bad to the bone
Meaning
Very tough, rebellious, or mean—bad in an intimidating “to the core” way (often admiring or playful).
Origin
Uses “to the bone” to mean “to the core/through and through.” The phrase became especially popular in modern English via George Thorogood’s 1982 song “Bad to the Bone,” reinforcing the tough-guy image.
Notes
Colloquial; can be negative (“mean”) or admiring (“tough/cool”). Often used playfully; avoid in formal contexts.
Examples
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That biker looks bad to the bone, but he’s actually pretty friendly.
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She’s been bad to the bone since high school—always breaking the rules and loving it.
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The villain in the movie is bad to the bone, with no hint of remorse.
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Don’t let the leather jacket fool you; he’s not bad to the bone.
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The song’s lyrics make him sound bad to the bone, even though it’s mostly an act.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed pattern: “bad to the bone.” Usually predicative (“He’s bad to the bone”) or as a noun phrase (“a bad-to-the-bone biker”). Hyphenate when used attributively.
Synonyms
- tough
- hardcore
- mean
- wicked
- badass
Antonyms
- good to the core
- sweet-natured
- gentle
- kind-hearted