PhrasesHub

The fly in the ointment

    Definitions

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

      • point out a flaw or problem
        Highlight a small issue or problem that detracts from the overall positive aspect of something

    Examples of The fly in the ointment

    • Despite having a successful business venture, the fly in the ointment was the sudden resignation of the company's chief financial officer, which created financial instability and uncertainty for the organization.

      The fly in the ointment refers to an unwelcome obstacle or problem that ruins what was once perfect or almost perfect. In this example, the sudden resignation of the CFO is the fly in the ointment because it created a significant problem that affected the overall success of the business.

    • The author's stunning novel was praised by critics and readers alike, but the fly in the ointment was the poor marketing strategy, which failed to generate the sales the book deserved.

      In this example, the marketing strategy is the fly in the ointment because it negatively affected the success of the novel, despite its quality and critical acclaim.

    • The team's winning streak was interrupted by an unexpected loss, which was the fly in the ointment that caused them to lose their confidence and affect their performance in subsequent games.

      In this example, the unexpected loss is the fly in the ointment because it ruined the team's winning streak and affected their overall performance.

    • The company's growth prospects were promising until a major competitor entered the market, which proved to be the fly in the ointment that disrupted the company's strategy and hindered their growth potential.

      In this example, the major competitor is the fly in the ointment because it negatively affected the company's growth prospects and disrupted their strategy.

    • Despite having a successful event, the fly in the ointment was the unexpected rainstorm that ruined the outdoor portion of the program.

      This example shows how the "fly in the ointment" idiom can be used to describe an unexpected and troublesome event that ruins an otherwise successful situation. The phrase "fly in the ointment" implies that there is a small problem or obstacle ("fly") that causes a larger issue ("ointment") to be ruined or spoiled. In this case, the unexpected rainstorm ("fly") ruined the outdoor portion of the event ("ointment"), despite the fact that the event as a whole ("ointment") was successful.

    • The promotion looked promising until the fly in the ointment was discovered - a miscalculation in the budget that left the company with a major financial loss.

      This example demonstrates how the "fly in the ointment" idiom can be used to describe a minor issue that eventually leads to a larger problem. The phrase "fly in the ointment" implies that there is a small problem or obstacle ("fly") that causes a larger issue ("ointment") to be ruined or spoiled. In this situation, the miscalculation in the budget ("fly") caused a major financial loss ("ointment"), despite the fact that the promotion looked promising ("ointment").

    • The job interview went well until the fly in the ointment revealed himself in the form of a negative reference from the applicant's former employer.

      This example shows how the "fly in the ointment" idiom can be used to describe a small issue that is revealed too late and causes a larger problem. The phrase "fly in the ointment" implies that there is a small problem or obstacle ("fly") that causes a larger issue ("ointment") to be ruined or spoiled. In this case, the negative reference from the applicant's former employer ("fly") revealed itself too late in the job interview process ("ointment"), causing the candidate's chances of employment to be spoiled.

    • The student had completed most of their exams with flying colors, but the fly in the ointment was a missed question on the final exam that caused their grade to drop.

      This example demonstrates how the "fly in the ointment" idiom can be used to describe a minor issue that has a significant impact. The phrase "fly in the ointment" implies that there is a small problem or obstacle ("fly") that causes a larger issue ("ointment") to be ruined or spoiled. In this situation, the missed question on the final exam ("fly") caused the student's grade to drop ("ointment"), despite the fact that they had performed well on most of their exams ("ointment").


    Conclusion

    "The fly in the ointment" is often used to caution someone against pursuing a particular course of action due to the lack of positive outcomes. It can also be used to point out a small flaw or problem that detracts from the overall positive aspect of something.

    Origin of "The fly in the ointment"

    The idiom "the fly in the ointment" originates from an ancient proverb found in the Bible, specifically in the book of Ecclesiastes. The original proverb reads, "Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor." This proverbial warning about the negative impact of a small problem or flaw has evolved into the commonly used idiom "the fly in the ointment" in modern English.

    The idiom has been in use for centuries and has been passed down through generations, maintaining its relevance and meaning. It is often used in both formal and informal contexts to caution against potential pitfalls or to highlight small issues that detract from the overall positive aspect of a situation. The origins of the idiom in ancient wisdom lend it a timeless quality that continues to resonate with English speakers today.