Fly in the ointment
Significado: A small problem that spoils something otherwise good.
A 'fly in the ointment' is a small flaw that ruins an otherwise good thing—like a dead fly in expensive perfume. The minor defect disproportionately spoils the whole.
Ejemplos
- The only fly in the ointment is the price. 唯一美中不足的是价格。El único pero es el precio.唯一の難点は値段だ。유일한 흠은 가격이다.
- There's just one fly in the ointment. 只有一个美中不足的地方。Solo hay una pega.一つだけ問題がある。딱 하나 문제가 있다.
- It would be perfect except for this fly in the ointment. 要不是这个小问题就完美了。Sería perfecto si no fuera por esta pega.この一つの問題がなければ完璧なのに。이 한 가지 문제만 아니면 완벽할 텐데.
Pronunciación
/flaɪ ɪn ðiː ˈɔɪntmənt/
Guía de uso
Contexto: problems, flaws, drawbacks
Tono: concerned, qualifying
✓ Correcto
- Fly in the ointment美中不足la pega玉に瑕옥에 티
- The only fly in the ointment唯一的瑕疵el único pero唯一の難点유일한 흠
Errores comunes
- About a small problem spoiling something good
Origen e historia
From Ecclesiastes 10:1 in the Bible: 'Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour.' A small contamination ruins the whole product.
Etimología: Biblical: dead flies contaminate perfumer's ointment
Primera vez registrado: Biblical origin (Ecclesiastes)
Contexto cultural
Era: Biblical onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: Bible, Ecclesiastes
Regional notes: English-language universal.
Variaciones
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