mean streak
7
6.5
- noun
- /miːn striːk/
- Informal
:
tendencia cruel
- Even the kindest people can have a mean streak when they are provoked.
- got a mean streak
- show a mean streak
But when you realize that I had this mean streak, did it endear you to me or were you disgusted?
- But when you realize that I had this mean streak, did it endear you to me or were you disgusted?
Examples
-
A powerful player who plays with a serious mean streak.
Blog text (6) -
"And that Jim, he has a mean streak; I'd never turn my back on him."
Fiction book (1993) -
Some people have a mean streak in them.
-
Kelly always had a mean streak in him.
-
You look like you got a little bit of a mean streak, though.
-
This kid's got a mean streak.
-
Well, we all knew he had a mean streak.
-
Though he is on his very best behavior just now, there is a mean streak in him.
Fiction book (1993) -
He's got a mean streak in him.
-
Rodie, you got a mean streak.
Synonyms
9
5.4
Being unkind on purpose to other people
3
8.5
A way of behaving that is mean and hurtful to other people
3
4.1
Lack of care for other people
1
8.1
Saying small mean things to hurt someone in a quiet way
1
7.7
A way of behaving that is angry and unfriendly
1
7.4
A wish to hurt, upset, or annoy other people
1
8.6
Rude, unfriendly behavior that makes other people feel unwelcome
Being unkind and cruel to other people on purpose
Antonyms
How Mean
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and transparently built from 'mean' (unkind, cruel) + 'streak' (a recurring tendency or trait); a learner who knows both words can infer a tendency to be mean. The noun 'streak' is commonly used figuratively (e.g., 'winning streak') so the composite sense is compositional and predictable for B1 learners.
Etymology
Mean streak paints the picture of a thin line or short burst of bad behaviour running through a person. Because streak can mean a line or a short time and mean means unkind, a mean streak is a part of someone's character that makes them 'unkind'.