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)

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.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Kulap	-	Thai
Vitus	-	Ancient Roman
Lewis	['lu:is]
Haamid	-	Arabic
Annick	-	Breton
ColmÁN	-	Irish