black sheep

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black sheep (plural black sheep)

1. Used other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see black,‎ sheep.
2. (idiomatic) a nonconformist; an unusual or unconventional person
3. (idiomatic) a disliked person; one who is disfavored
   • 2003 April 10, "The Native Informant," The Nation (US) (retrieved 24 July 2014):

     Kissinger, after all, is a figure of renown among the self-appointed leaders of "the people from whom he stems" and a frequent speaker at Jewish charity galas, whereas Ajami is a man almost entirely deserted by his people, a pariah at what should be his hour of triumph. In Arnoun, a family friend told me, "Fouad is a black sheep because of his staunch support for the Israelis."

   He always was the black sheep in the family, as an artist among doctors and lawyers.

• (disliked person): golden child

• (disliked person): bad apple

• dark horse