A fly in the ointment

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Meaning

A small flaw that spoils the whole, a tiny snag.

Origin

From the Bible, Ecclesiastes 10: 1 (circa 300 BCE), 'Dead flies cause the ointment to stink,' English by 1598 in a proverb for spoil. A 1670s play twists it to 'fly in the ointment,' reflecting a balm age and pest woes.

Variants

  • In the ointment

Usage Examples

  • The delay's a fly in the ointment; almost perfect.
  • A fly in the ointment; rain hit the picnic.
  • That glitch is the fly in the ointment.

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