fly in the ointment

A flaw or imperfection that detracts from something positive. The only fly in the ointment in an otherwise perfect wedding day was the fact that the bride tripped when walking down the aisle.

See also: fly, ointment

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fly in the ointment

Fig. a small, unpleasant matter that spoils something; a drawback. We enjoyed the play, but the fly in the ointment was not being able to find my hat afterward. It sounds like a good idea, but there must be a fly in the ointment somewhere.

See also: fly, ointment

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

fly in the ointment

A drawback or detrimental factor. For example, The new library is wonderful but there's a fly in the ointment: their catalog isn't complete yet . This term probably alludes to a biblical proverb (Ecclesiastes 10:1): "Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour." [c. 1600]

See also: fly, ointment

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a fly in the ointment

If someone or something is a fly in the ointment, they prevent a situation from being as successful or happy as it would be without them. The only fly in the ointment is Bella's chronic lack of concentration. One potentially large fly in the ointment is how radio resources have been split up worldwide. Note: This expression probably comes from the Bible: `Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.' (Ecclesiastes 10:1)

See also: fly, ointment

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a fly in the ointment

a minor irritation or other factor that spoils the success or enjoyment of something.

This expression alludes to Ecclesiastes 10:1: ‘Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour’.

1998 Times Before you conclude that I have become a raging Europhile, let me say that there is a fly in the ointment.

See also: fly, ointment

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a/the fly in the ˈointment

(informal) a person or thing that stops a situation, an activity, a plan, etc. from being as good or successful as it could be: We lead a very happy life here. The only fly in the ointment is that there’s too much traffic on our road.

See also: fly, ointment

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

fly in the ointment

A detrimental circumstance or detail; a drawback.

See also: fly, ointment

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

fly in the ointment

A trifling annoyance that spoils one’s enjoyment. This term comes from the Bible (Ecclesiastes 10:1): “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor; so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.” It has been so used ever since.

See also: fly, ointment

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer

fly in the ointment

A spoiler. Ecclesiastes 10:1 relates that dead flies impart a bad odor to perfume; early versions translate the word “perfume” as “ointment.” Another old phrase with the same meaning is to “throw a monkey wrench in the works.”

See also: fly, ointment

Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price

See also:

a fly in the ointment
a/the fly in the ointment
happy is the bride that the sun shines on
praise
detract
detract from
detract from (someone or something)
white wedding
wart
hot ticket

References in periodicals archive

For those who may have forgotten, the ancient metaphor (950 A.D.) is worded the fly in the ointment" and signifies anything, esp.

Tune in to your leading linguistic indicators

So it is worrying that Sir Albert Bore highlights opposition from Solihull as being a potential fly in the ointment. With groupings already created in Greater Manchester, Greater Liverpool, South Yorkshire, and with the North East expected to get on board, the West Midlands needs to unite - and quickly.

United we stand; VIEWPOINT BIRMINGHAM POST

The fly in the ointment is the Port of Southampton.

Cruise terminal envy; You Say Email:letters@liverpoolecho.co.uk

Programmes like Byker Grove and Jossie's Giants prove that, although the clamour for Newcastle season tickets is something of a fly in the ointment. Still the Riverside will be sold out for the first two days of England's second Test against Bangladesh and the locals should be praised for that after the mismatch at Lord's.

Hawkeye: Good crickeet!

For GPS, "This is the only fly in the ointment," Dixon says.

GPS steps forward with a small stumble

The one fly in the ointment was sterling and its relationship with the euro.

British economy on par with the single currency

词组	fly in the ointment
释义	fly in the ointment fly in the ointment A flaw or imperfection that detracts from something positive. The only fly in the ointment in an otherwise perfect wedding day was the fact that the bride tripped when walking down the aisle. See also: fly, ointment Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. fly in the ointment Fig. a small, unpleasant matter that spoils something; a drawback. We enjoyed the play, but the fly in the ointment was not being able to find my hat afterward. It sounds like a good idea, but there must be a fly in the ointment somewhere. See also: fly, ointment McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. fly in the ointment A drawback or detrimental factor. For example, The new library is wonderful but there's a fly in the ointment: their catalog isn't complete yet . This term probably alludes to a biblical proverb (Ecclesiastes 10:1): "Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour." [c. 1600] See also: fly, ointment The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. a fly in the ointment If someone or something is a fly in the ointment, they prevent a situation from being as successful or happy as it would be without them. The only fly in the ointment is Bella's chronic lack of concentration. One potentially large fly in the ointment is how radio resources have been split up worldwide. Note: This expression probably comes from the Bible: `Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.' (Ecclesiastes 10:1) See also: fly, ointment Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. a fly in the ointment a minor irritation or other factor that spoils the success or enjoyment of something. This expression alludes to Ecclesiastes 10:1: ‘Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour’. 1998 Times Before you conclude that I have become a raging Europhile, let me say that there is a fly in the ointment. See also: fly, ointment Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary a/the fly in the ˈointment (informal) a person or thing that stops a situation, an activity, a plan, etc. from being as good or successful as it could be: We lead a very happy life here. The only fly in the ointment is that there’s too much traffic on our road. See also: fly, ointment Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary fly in the ointment A detrimental circumstance or detail; a drawback. See also: fly, ointment American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. fly in the ointment A trifling annoyance that spoils one’s enjoyment. This term comes from the Bible (Ecclesiastes 10:1): “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor; so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.” It has been so used ever since. See also: fly, ointment The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer fly in the ointment A spoiler. Ecclesiastes 10:1 relates that dead flies impart a bad odor to perfume; early versions translate the word “perfume” as “ointment.” Another old phrase with the same meaning is to “throw a monkey wrench in the works.” See also: fly, ointment Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price See also: a fly in the ointment a/the fly in the ointment happy is the bride that the sun shines on praise detract detract from detract from (someone or something) white wedding wart hot ticket References in periodicals archive For those who may have forgotten, the ancient metaphor (950 A.D.) is worded the fly in the ointment" and signifies anything, esp. Tune in to your leading linguistic indicators So it is worrying that Sir Albert Bore highlights opposition from Solihull as being a potential fly in the ointment. With groupings already created in Greater Manchester, Greater Liverpool, South Yorkshire, and with the North East expected to get on board, the West Midlands needs to unite - and quickly. United we stand; VIEWPOINT BIRMINGHAM POST The fly in the ointment is the Port of Southampton. Cruise terminal envy; You Say Email:letters@liverpoolecho.co.uk Programmes like Byker Grove and Jossie's Giants prove that, although the clamour for Newcastle season tickets is something of a fly in the ointment. Still the Riverside will be sold out for the first two days of England's second Test against Bangladesh and the locals should be praised for that after the mismatch at Lord's. Hawkeye: Good crickeet! For GPS, "This is the only fly in the ointment," Dixon says. GPS steps forward with a small stumble The one fly in the ointment was sterling and its relationship with the euro. British economy on par with the single currency
随便看	in the buff in the bull pen in the bullpen in the business of (doing something) in the cactus in the calm before the storm in the can in the cards in the care of in the care of (someone) in the cart in the case of in the case of (someone or something) in the catbird seat in the CE in the charge of (someone) in the chips in the circumstances in the clear in the closet in the clouds in the club in the cold light of day in the Common Era in the context of