bad taste in one's mouth

Etymology

Refers to the feeling of nausea or its aftereffects.

Noun

bad taste in one's mouth (plural bad tastes in one's mouth)

1. (idiomatic) A feeling something is morally despicable as to cause nausea.

   The more I thought of my orders, the more it left a bad taste in my mouth.

2. (idiomatic) A feeling of guilt, responsibility, or embarrassment as to cause nausea.

   Knowing that I had inadvertently aided a killer, left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

3. (idiomatic) A feeling of disappointment and frustration.

Quotations

• 2005 April 4, Long Distance Drought: Illinois goes 12-for-40 from behind the arc (Associated Press):

  “Our goal was to get to the Final Four, compete for the national championship,” Williams said. “It just leaves a bad taste in your mouth, not getting to cut down the nets.”

See also

• bad taste
• hard to swallow
• have the stomach for it