bad habit
عادة سيئة
Use 'bad habit' to describe minor negative routines you or others do repeatedly and automatically.
In 15 Sekunden
- A repeated negative behavior that is hard to stop.
- Commonly used with the verbs 'have', 'break', or 'kick'.
- Covers everything from biting nails to staying up too late.
Bedeutung
A bad habit is something you do regularly that is negative, unhealthy, or annoying. It is a behavior you repeat almost without thinking, even though you know you should probably stop.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Apologizing for being late
I'm so sorry, I have a bad habit of losing my keys right before I leave.
I'm so sorry, I have a bad habit of losing my keys right before I leave.
Talking to a doctor about health
I'm trying to break the bad habit of snacking late at night.
I'm trying to break the bad habit of snacking late at night.
Texting a friend about a show
I have a bad habit of binge-watching the whole season in one night lol.
I have a bad habit of binge-watching the whole season in one night lol.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The concept of the 'bad habit' is central to Western self-help culture and the 'New Year's Resolution' tradition. It reflects a cultural value placed on self-awareness and the constant pursuit of personal growth. Interestingly, the phrase has been popularized globally through hit songs by artists like Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa.
The 'Kick' Alternative
If you want to sound more casual, use the verb `kick` instead of `break`. Saying 'I finally kicked my soda habit' sounds very cool and native.
Don't over-apologize
English speakers often use 'bad habit' as a soft excuse. If you use it too much for big mistakes, people might think you aren't trying to change!
In 15 Sekunden
- A repeated negative behavior that is hard to stop.
- Commonly used with the verbs 'have', 'break', or 'kick'.
- Covers everything from biting nails to staying up too late.
What It Means
A bad habit is that little thing you do on autopilot. It is a behavior that has become a routine. Usually, it is something you are not proud of. It could be biting your nails. It could be checking your phone too much. It is like a tiny brain-glitch that happens every day.
How To Use It
You use this phrase to describe your own flaws. You can also use it to talk about others. Usually, you use the verb have. For example, "I have a bad habit of being late." You can also use the verb break. To break a bad habit means to finally stop doing it. It sounds very natural in conversation. It is not too technical or medical. It is just a part of regular life.
When To Use It
Use it when you are being honest with friends. Use it when you are making a New Year's resolution. It is great for apologizing for small mistakes. If you forget someone's name, say, "Sorry, I have a bad habit of forgetting names!" It makes you sound human and relatable. It is perfect for lighthearted complaints about yourself or your partner.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for serious crimes or major character flaws. If someone is a bank robber, that is not a bad habit. That is a felony! Also, avoid using it to criticize a boss directly. It might sound a bit too personal or judgmental. Use it for things like drinking too much coffee. Do not use it for things that are deeply offensive.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, people love talking about self-improvement. We are obsessed with "habit tracking" and "life hacks." Breaking a bad habit is seen as a sign of strength. There is even a famous saying: "Old habits die hard." This means it is very difficult to change your ways. We often joke about our bad habits to break the ice. It is a way of saying, "I'm not perfect, and that's okay."
Common Variations
You might hear people say nasty habit if it is gross. If it is just a small, funny thing, they might call it a quirk. Sometimes people say they are stuck in a rut. This means they have many bad habits at once. You can also say vice. A vice is a more serious or "naughty" bad habit, like smoking or gambling. But bad habit remains the most common, everyday term.
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is extremely versatile and fits into almost any social situation. Just remember to use the '-ing' form of the verb after 'habit of' (e.g., 'habit of *smoking*', not 'habit of *smoke*').
The 'Kick' Alternative
If you want to sound more casual, use the verb `kick` instead of `break`. Saying 'I finally kicked my soda habit' sounds very cool and native.
Don't over-apologize
English speakers often use 'bad habit' as a soft excuse. If you use it too much for big mistakes, people might think you aren't trying to change!
The 'Vice' Secret
In the UK and US, people sometimes refer to their 'guilty pleasures' (like eating chocolate) as a 'bad habit' with a wink. It's a way of being playful.
Beispiele
6I'm so sorry, I have a bad habit of losing my keys right before I leave.
I'm so sorry, I have a bad habit of losing my keys right before I leave.
Uses the phrase to soften an apology for a recurring mistake.
I'm trying to break the bad habit of snacking late at night.
I'm trying to break the bad habit of snacking late at night.
Professional yet personal context regarding health goals.
I have a bad habit of binge-watching the whole season in one night lol.
I have a bad habit of binge-watching the whole season in one night lol.
Casual use for a relatable, non-serious behavior.
My husband has a bad habit of leaving his socks in the kitchen for some reason.
My husband has a bad habit of leaving his socks in the kitchen for some reason.
Lighthearted complaining about someone else's quirk.
Smoking is a bad habit that I've struggled with for ten years.
Smoking is a bad habit that I've struggled with for ten years.
Used for a more serious health-related issue.
Checking emails every five minutes is a bad habit that kills my focus.
Checking emails every five minutes is a bad habit that kills my focus.
Identifying a workflow issue in a professional setting.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence about stopping a routine.
It took me three months to ___ the bad habit of biting my nails.
The standard collocation in English is to 'break a habit'.
Identify the most natural way to admit to a recurring behavior.
I ___ a bad habit of interrupting people when I get excited.
We use the verb 'have' to indicate that a habit is part of our current behavior.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Bad Habit'
Talking to friends about annoying quirks.
Ugh, my bad habit is scrolling TikTok at 2 AM.
Standard everyday use in most situations.
I have a bad habit of forgetting my umbrella.
Discussing behavioral patterns in a professional or medical context.
The patient is working to overcome several bad habits.
Where to use 'Bad Habit'
Health & Fitness
Quitting junk food.
Social Blunders
Forgetting names.
Work/Study
Procrastinating on tasks.
Relationships
Not listening properly.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
11 FragenIt is a negative behavior that you do repeatedly and often automatically. For example, biting your nails is a classic bad habit.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, like I have a bad habit of over-checking my work, or with your best friend.
The most common way is to say you broke the habit. For example, I finally broke my bad habit of sleeping in.
Yes, but be careful as it can sound critical. It is safer to say He has a bit of a bad habit of... to make it sound softer.
A bad habit is usually minor, like being messy. A vice is often more serious or related to moral things like gambling or smoking.
Yes, often when discussing productivity. You might say, We need to break the bad habit of having too many meetings.
It is an idiom that means the same as break the habit. It is more informal and very common in American English.
No, by definition, if it is 'bad,' it is negative. If it is positive, you just call it a good habit or a healthy routine.
Always use bad habit. We almost never say wrong habit in English; it sounds unnatural.
This is a stronger version of bad habit. It usually refers to something physically gross, like picking your nose.
The most common pattern is: [Person] + has a bad habit of + [Verb-ing]. For example, She has a bad habit of interrupting.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Old habits die hard
It is very difficult to change a behavior you have had for a long time.
Break the cycle
To stop a repeating pattern of negative behavior.
Kick the habit
To stop doing something that is harmful or addictive.
Creature of habit
A person who likes to do the same things at the same time every day.
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