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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.

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Submitted on February 25, 2019

Additional definitions for 'Fly in the Ointment':

fly in the ointmentSomething 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

fly out of the trapsfly off at a tangentfly off the handlea fly in the ointmentfly like a rocka fly by nightdon't drive faster than your guardian a…fly off the handlefly byfly in the face ofFly Off the Handlefly offfly outfly by the seat of one's pants

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    "Fly in the Ointment." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/fly-in-the-ointment_44671>.

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