Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
* Bearer: Someone who carries or brings something.
* Tidings: News, especially important news.
* Bad: Unfavorable, unpleasant, or unwelcome.
The phrase evokes an image of someone delivering a message that will likely be met with disappointment, fear, sadness, or anger.
Examples:
* "The messenger was the bearer of bad tidings, informing the king of his son's death."
* "I'm afraid I'm the bearer of bad news – your car has been totaled."
* "They sent a scout to find out what happened, and he returned as the bearer of bad tidings."
The phrase often has a negative connotation, as the person delivering the bad news is likely to be seen as the source of the unpleasantness, even though they are merely the messenger.