wrong crowd

[rɔŋ kraʊd]
noun phrase
companhia inadequada; turma errada; má influência
1. A group of people whose values, behaviors, or influences are considered negative, inappropriate, or unsuitable for someone
He started hanging out with the wrong crowd and got into trouble at school.
Ele começou a andar com a turma errada e se meteu em problemas na escola.
2. Associates or companions who have a bad reputation or engage in criminal, immoral, or destructive activities
She fell in with the wrong crowd during her college years.
Ela se envolveu com companhia inadequada durante seus anos de faculdade.
3. People whose social or economic status, interests, or background differ significantly and unfavorably from one's own
They warned him not to get involved with the wrong crowd from that neighborhood.
Alertaram-no para não se envolver com a turma errada daquele bairro.
This expression is widely used in both American and Brazilian cultures to warn about negative peer influences, particularly regarding youth delinquency and moral development. In the USA, it's often used in cautionary contexts about gang involvement or substance abuse. In Brazil, it's similarly used in urban contexts where social circumstances and poverty may expose youth to crime and violence. The phrase carries moral judgment and is typically used by parents, educators, or authority figures.
NYC Slang
hanging with the wrong crew; running with the wrong set; bad company
Synonyms / Sinônimos
bad companybad influenceundesirable associatesrough crowdunsavory charactersnegative influences
Antonyms / Antônimos
right crowdgood companypositive influencesgood friendsdesirable associates

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
turma errada; companhia inadequada; má companhia
Standard usage in Brazil, commonly understood across regions
Rio de Janeiro
galera errada; turminha errada
More colloquial, using 'galera' is typical of Rio slang
São Paulo
turma errada; companhia errada
Direct translation preferred; sometimes 'turma pesada' (heavy/rough crowd)
Portugal
companhia inadequada; má influência; círculo vicioso
Portuguese Portuguese tends toward more formal expressions

Related Words

peer pressurebad habitsnegative influencesocial circlecompanionsassociatesdelinquency

Related Idioms & Phrases

fall in with the wrong crowd
get mixed up with the wrong people
run with the wrong crowd
keep bad company
go astray
go down the wrong path
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