bête noire

[ beyt nwahr; French bet nwar ]

noun

, plural bêtes noires [beyt , nwahrz, bet , nwar].

1. a person or thing especially disliked or dreaded; bane; bugbear.

bête noire

/ bɛt nwar /

noun

1. a person or thing that one particularly dislikes or dreads

bête noire

1. Something or someone a person views with particular dislike: “The new candidate for governor is the bête noire of all the liberals in the state.” From French, meaning “black beast.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of bête noire¹

1835–45; < French: literally, black beast

Word History and Origins

Origin of bête noire¹

literally: black beast

Idioms and Phrases

A person or thing that is particularly disliked. For example, Calculus was the bête noire of my freshman courses . This phrase, French for “black beast,” entered the English language in the early 1800s. For synonyms, see pain in the neck ; thorn in one's flesh .

Example Sentences

But it remains a bête noire for critics of mass incarceration.

From Los Angeles Times

They are the bête noire of many nutritionists - mass-produced yet moreish foods like chicken nuggets, packaged snacks, fizzy drinks, ice cream or even sliced brown bread.

From BBC

Drag shows have become a conservative bête noire in Texas, condemned by some as a bad influence on today’s youth.

From Los Angeles Times

But before the jury has even heard from Trump’s bête noire, the prosecution has made great strides to neutralize any plan to undermine Cohen’s testimony.

From Los Angeles Times

The particular bête noire for Hart was labor organizing.

From Salon