bad vibes

Meaning

'Bad vibes' refers to a negative feeling, atmosphere, or energy that a person, place, or situation gives off. It is a very common, casual way to express that something feels uncomfortable, unfriendly, or untrustworthy.

Examples

• I didn't stay long at the party because the crowd was giving me bad vibes.

  I didn't stay long at the party because the crowd was giving me bad vibes.

• That old, empty house down the street has some serious bad vibes.

  That old, empty house down the street has some serious bad vibes.

• I don't want any bad vibes in my apartment, so let's stop arguing.

  I don't want any bad vibes in my apartment, so let's stop arguing.

• She got bad vibes from the interviewer and decided not to take the job.

  She got bad vibes from the interviewer and decided not to take the job.

• The restaurant had dim lighting and rude staff, which created bad vibes.

  The restaurant had dim lighting and rude staff, which created bad vibes.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I feel bad vibes from this place.

  ✓ I get bad vibes from this place.

  While 'feel' is understandable, native speakers almost always say they 'get' or 'receive' bad vibes, or that a place 'has' bad vibes.

• ✗ He is a very bad vibe person.

  ✓ He gives off bad vibes.

  'Bad vibes' is a plural noun phrase, not an adjective. You should say someone 'gives off bad vibes' or 'has bad vibes' instead of using it to describe a person directly.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I walked into the room and immediately got ___ from the group.

  💡 Negative energy or uncomfortable feelings from people.

  Show answer

  bad vibes

• Let's leave this place; it's giving me major ___.

  💡 An unpleasant or creepy atmosphere.

  Show answer

  bad vibes