ne'er-do-well

Etymology
"Ne'er-do-well" is a contracted compound word stemming from the combination of the words "never do well."

“Never-do-well” is sometimes used as an offhand, expanded version of the phrase, where “never” is not contracted. The usage of this version is often attributed to the northeastern United States.

Noun

 * 1) A person without a means of support; an idle, worthless person; a loafer; a person who is ineffectual, unsuccessful, or completely lacking in merit; a good-for-nothing.
 * 2) A person who is up to no good; a rogue.
 * 1) A person who is up to no good; a rogue.
 * 1) A person who is up to no good; a rogue.

Adjective

 * 1) Showing the characteristics of a ne'er-do-well: indolent, worthless, or roguish.

Synonyms

 * never-do-well
 * never-do-well
 * never-do-well
 * never-do-well