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Etymology Journal · S

Spoiled rotten

Meaning

Describes someone, usually a child or a pet, who is given everything they want and has no sense of discipline. It implies that their character has been damaged by indulgence.

Judgmental, descriptive

Used in a sentence

  • That poodle is spoiled rotten and sleeps on a silk pillow.
  • His kids are spoiled rotten because he buys them every toy they see.
  • I do not want to become spoiled rotten by getting my way all the time.

The backstory

The term implies that like fruit left on the vine too long, too much coddling results in a person who has turned bad or selfish.

Heard in

Nationwide

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