Definition

A defective or disappointing purchase, especially a car with serious hidden problems; more broadly, a dud or bad deal.

Examples

"I thought I scored a deal on that used Civic, but it was a total lemon—the check-engine light came on during the drive home and the transmission failed a week later."

"This smartphone is a lemon; the screen flickers, the battery dies in an hour, and the camera freezes constantly."

"That “too good to be true” timeshare is a lemon—hidden fees everywhere and impossible booking."