van slechten huize

Dutch

Etymology

Literally, “from [a] bad house”, using now-obsolete dative nominal forms, where "house" is used metonymically to refer to one's family and upbringing.

Prepositional phrase

van slechten huize

1. (idiomatic) of lowly or ignoble stock

   Antonym: van goeden huize

Usage notes

• Less common than van goeden huize.