mean streak
Noun
Meaning
mean streak (plural mean streaks)
(idiomatic) A defect in character characterized by persistent nastiness, viciousness, or malevolence.
Examples
He got his mean streak from the gutter Got his kindness from God.
It was not a friendly game, and Jerry certainly did not have friendliness in his eyes. He had an extra mean streak that day. He was out of control and probably should have been ejected.
Never cross a woman with a star on a stick, young lady. They've got a mean streak.
Everybody has a mean streak in them, don't they?
A dirty player is somebody who ultimately is trying to hurt somebody. There's a huge difference. There's no gray in that. Like, you have no conscience, no nothing, no guilt. I don't have that mean streak in me. I don't play angry. It's not anger.
His late 1958 and early 1959 follow-up singles, "High Class Baby" and "Livin' Lovin' Doll", were followed by "Mean Streak", which carried a rocker's sense of speed and passion, and Lionel Bart 's " Living Doll ".