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a fly in the ointment

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a fly in the ointment

(spoken)

someone or something that spoils a good situation What remains a fly in the ointment is the fact that the UN has not approved the peace plan.

Etymology: from a Bible story which explains that dead flies spoil ointment (medicine spread on the skin)

See also: fly, ointment

a fly in the ointment

someone or something that spoils a situation which could have been successful or pleasant The only fly in the ointment was my mother, who insisted on whispering through the first half of the show.

See also: fly, ointment