bearer of bad news
Delivers grim tidings
A bearer of bad news is someone who delivers unwelcome information.
The phrase often appears with don't shoot the messenger logic—acknowledging that the person reporting bad news isn't responsible for causing it: I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your flight has been canceled.
The role is thankless; people sometimes resent the bearer as much as the news itself.
- informerOne who reveals secrets
- letterWritten symbol or message
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
- don't shoot the messengerDon't punish the informer
- kill the messengerPunish bearer of bad news
knock · reluctant · apologetic · heavy heart · envoy · announcement · unwelcome · lightning rod · burdened · disclosure · conflicted · storm cloud · empathetic · misunderstood · envelope · notification · telegram · reporter
bearer of bad newsangel of mercy
Selfless comforter of the afflicted
ray of sunshine · comforter · savior · rescuer · light bringer
bearer, bear, bears, bearing, bearings, borne, badness, news, newness