习语 a bad penny always turns up (again) 是什么意思?

英语习语 a bad penny always turns up (again) 是一个谚语,主要用来表示不受欢迎(或讨厌)的人总是一再出现(an unwanted or unsavory character is likely to show up when least expected)。比如:

  • "Who's coming?" Father asked. "It's Uncle Joe, the drunkard," I answered."Oh, that's the case of a bad penny always turning up again," Father said with a sigh.
    “谁要来呀?”父亲问。“是酒鬼乔叔,”我回答说。“唉,这真是不受欢迎的人偏要来纠缠,”父亲叹了一口气说。