a bad lot

bad lot

A person or group of people typified by immoral, illegal, or illicit behavior, which is often seen as being corruptive or destructive to others. That George fellow is a bad lot. I heard he was arrested just last year for robbing a convenience store for drug money. I fell in with a bad lot after high school and got in a lot of trouble, but I've cleaned up my act now.
See also: bad, lot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a bad ˈlot

(old-fashioned, British English) a person who is dishonest: I’m not surprised. I always said he was a bad lot, didn’t I?
See also: bad, lot
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • bad lot
  • bad bunch
  • keep (one's) hands clean
  • the weed of crime bears bitter fruit
  • something nasty in the woodshed
  • (one's) hands are clean
  • someone's hands are clean
  • dine with the devil
  • sup with the devil
  • life in the slow lane
References in classic literature
These pirates, a bad lot of men, used to wait for sailors to be shipwrecked on their shores.