bad seed

plural bad seeds

1. uncountableusuallyA genetic source of bad behavior or other negative results.

   A bad seed produces a bad tree and in due course bad fruit, and a good seed produces a good tree and good fruit.

   1533, Paracelsus, Paracelsus: Essential Readings, translation of Liber Prologi in Vitam Beatam by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke, published 1999, page 147

   3 more examples

   In families that insist the child is different, the myth that prevails and perpetuates is the "bad seed theory." This becomes easier for families to do when the kids behave poorly and the only information they receive about the biological family are its problems and dysfunction

   2001, Victor Groza with Karen F. Rosenberg, Clinical and Practice Issues in Adoption, page 7

   "Listen, some people just come from bad seed." Mr. Heath shook his head. ... "If Ian is from bad seed, though, is from the mother, not the father

   2003, Colin Channer, Waiting in Vain, page 256

   if you’re looking to turn out all the lights, pull a blanket up under your chin, and jump several inches off your couch, there’s a new bad-seed thriller to adopt today.

   2020 May 7, Katie Rife, “If you’re looking to jump in your seat, make a playdate with Z”, in The Onion AV Club, archived from the original on 16 May 2020

2. uncountableusuallyA bad apple: a bad person who negatively influences others.