ointment

a word of praise is equal to ointment on a sore

proverb Praise has a palliative or healing quality to it. Your criticism is not going to help him to feel better while he's so down. A word of praise is equal to ointment on a sore, you know.
See also: equal, of, ointment, on, praise, sore, word

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 word of praise is equal to ointment on a sore
  • mutual
  • mutual admiration society
  • break (one's) arm patting (oneself) on the back
  • extol
  • extol (someone or something) as (something)
  • extol as
  • extoll
  • praise
  • congratulate (someone) (up)on (something)
References in periodicals archive
Crisaborole ointment, 2%, is currently approved in select countries for mild to moderate AD in patients two years of age and older.
Pfizer Touts Positive Top-Line Results from Phase 4 Study of Crisaborole Ointment, 2%, in Children Aged 3 Months to Less Than 24 Months with Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis
Our study was conducted to compare the effect of topical tacrolimus ointment and mometasone furoate ointment in mild to moderate chronic hand eczema.
Comparison of efficacy and safety of topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment versus 0.1% mometasone furoate ointment in mild to moderate chronic hand eczema
Group-A were treated with silver nitrate cauterization followed by fucidic acid ointmnet application and group-B were treated by vasoconstrictor nasal spray along with fucidic acid ointment. In group A (silver nitrate cautery), 87.5% cases had no rebleed during two months follow up and in group-B, 67.8% children had no rebleed during two months follow up period (p=0.022).
COMPARISON OF CHEMICAL CAUTERY VERSUS TOPICAL VASOCONSTRICTORS IN IDIOPATHIC PEDIATRIC ANTERIOR EPISTAXIS
But in the seven years she's been developing her treatment, she said several individuals with diabetes who had severe, slow-healing wounds volunteered to administer the ointment to themselves with amazing results.
Former Gallatin County woman announces patent for her wound cure ointment Patent
CCP-020 is a topical formulation of diacerein, 1% ointment. Diacerein in the formulation is hydrolyzed to rhein in the epidermis and dermis following administration and blocks an inflammatory signaling pathway associated with EBS resulting in strengthening epidermal tissue and healing of skin blisters.
Castle Creek wins US FDA's rare pediatric disease designation for diacerein 1% ointment for epidermolysis bullosa
The latest research published by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Journal of Sexual Medicine states that topical ointments made with tumeric powder can help treat erectile disorders, and the chemical compound curcumin is the key factor.
Turmeric powder can treat erection problems: Study
For the assay, approximately 100 mg of each ointment was weighed; 12.5 mL of diluted sodium hydroxide solution and 37.5 mL of distilled water were added and dissolved.
Evaluation between the Usability and Physicochemical Property of Acyclovir Ointments
Clobetasol alone was the most frequently used agent responsible in 13(72%) cases; Clobaderm ointment in 8(44.4%) and Dermovat in 5(27.7%).
Iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome in children presenting at Children's Hospital Lahore using nappy rash ointments
Six adverse drug reactions were reported: application-site pruritus (n=1) with the foam; application-site diyness, application-site pain, and psoriasis (each n=1) with the ointment; pruritus (n=2) with the ointment.
Superior efficacy of the fixed combination calcipotriene plus betamethasone dipropionate in an innovative aerosol foam versus ointment, in patients with psoriasis vulgaris
The study determined the antimicrobial activity of the tannin extract ointment on the infected wounds of the rabbits.
Antimicrobial Activity of Tannin Extract Ointment Formulated from Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don Leaves on Infected Wounds of Oryctolagus cuniculus Linn
THE MEDICINES and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a drug alert notice for Zovirax Eye Ointment (Aciclovir 3%).
Recall notice for eye ointment
Hess's Udder Ointment can moisturize until the cows come home when the 100-year-old skin salve returns to the market.
What's old is new again: 100-year-old skin salve returns
Using germ-killing soap and ointment on all intensive-care unit (ICU) patients can reduce bloodstream infections by up to 44% and significantly reduce the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in ICUs.
Soap and ointment use slashes deadly MRSA infections in ICU patients
Princeton, NJ, February 15, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Xenna Corporation (www.xenna.com), a manufacturer of CalleX[R] Ointment for Dry, Cracked Feet, has launched the Callex Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 Zappos.com gift card.
Xenna's Callex Ointment for Dry Feet Launches Sweepstakes: Enter for a Chance to Win a $100 Zappos.com Gift Card
This trial aimed to evaluate the effect of a topical St John's wort ointment compared with placebo on plaque type psoriasis.
SJW and psoriasis