turn up like a bad penny

turn up like a bad penny

To appear or return regularly, especially of a person or thing that is unwelcome or objectionable. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of your conniving cousin—he always manages to turn up like a bad penny.
See also: bad, like, penny, turn, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

turn up like a bad penny

BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONED
If someone or something turns up like a bad penny, they appear again when they are not welcome or wanted. Her husband was able to find her, to turn up again on her doorstep like a bad penny. Like a bad penny, the report has turned up again. Note: You often use this expression to indicate that the person or thing keeps appearing.
See also: bad, like, penny, turn, up
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

turn up like a bad penny

(of someone or something unwelcome) inevitably reappear or return.
A bad penny is a counterfeit coin which circulates rapidly as people try to pass it on to someone else.
See also: bad, like, penny, turn, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

turn up like a bad ˈpenny

(informal) appear when you are not welcome or not wanted, especially when this happens regularly: He turns up like a bad penny every time there’s a chance of a free meal or a drink.
See also: bad, like, penny, turn, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

bad penny, always turns up (comes back) like a

The unwanted or worthless object or person is sure to return. A proverb in several languages besides English, this expression dates from the days when coins had intrinsic worth and a bad penny (or shilling or crown) was one that was made of inferior metal or contained less metal than it should.
See also: always, bad, like, turn, up
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • bad penny, always turns up (comes back) like a
  • a bad penny always turns up
  • bad penny always turns up
  • not darken (one's) door again
  • not/never darken somebody's door again
  • never darken (one's) door again
  • never darken someone's door
  • never darken (one's) doorstep again
  • never darken (one's) doorway again
  • expurgate from