Meaning of the word "the rotten apple injures its neighbors" in English

What does "the rotten apple injures its neighbors" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

the rotten apple injures its neighbors

US /ðə ˈrɑː.tən ˈæp.əl ˈɪn.dʒɚz ɪts ˈneɪ.bɚz/
UK /ðə ˈrɒt.ən ˈæp.əl ˈɪn.dʒəz ɪts ˈneɪ.bəz/
"the rotten apple injures its neighbors" picture

Idiom

a single bad person or thing can have a negative influence on others in a group

Example:
We need to remove the troublemaker immediately, because the rotten apple injures its neighbors.
The manager fired the dishonest employee, knowing that the rotten apple injures its neighbors.