Fly in the Ointment

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Fly in the Ointment

A small disturbance or irritation which can spoil ones pleasure and excitement

Etymology:

This phrase finds its origin in Bible (Ecclesiastics 10:1). Many years ago, people believed that a small annoyance can sometimes cause a big trouble and eventually can ruin things. Ointment means a creamy substance which is used to soften or heal up the skin. Any ointment gets ruined when a fly is found in it.

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The people were going crazy in the musical concert, but sudden lights off were the fly in the ointment.

Collection Edit

Submitted on February 25, 2019

Additional definitions for 'Fly in the Ointment':

fly in the ointment	Something which ruins or spoils everything else; a nuisance or problem; an unpleasant or disagreeable detail.

fly in the ointment

Something which ruins or spoils everything else; a nuisance or problem; an unpleasant or disagreeable detail.

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to Fly in the Ointment

bar fly fly like a rock fly in the face of fly out fly off the shelves fly off fly out fly off at a tangent fly by the seat of one's pants fly on the wall fly off the handle fly off the handle fly by Fly Off the Handle

How to pronounce this phrase?

Alex
US English
David
US English
Mark
US English
Daniel
British
Libby
British
Mia
British
Karen
Australian
Hayley
Australian
Natasha
Australian
Veena
Indian
Priya
Indian
Neerja
Indian
Zira
US English
Oliver
British
Wendy
British
Fred
US English
Tessa
South African

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"Fly in the Ointment." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/fly-in-the-ointment_44671>.

Fly in the Ointment

Etymology:

Additional definitions for 'Fly in the Ointment':

Translation

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to Fly in the Ointment

How to pronounce this phrase?

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