Fly In The Ointment

Pronunciation: /flaɪ ɪn ðə ˈɔɪntmənt/

Definitions of fly in the ointment

noun a small but very annoying problem or flaw that spoils something valuable or important

Example Sentences

A1 The fly in the ointment was the rainy weather during our picnic.

A2 The fly in the ointment of the party was the lack of music.

B1 The unexpected power outage was the fly in the ointment of our presentation.

B2 The lack of funding was the fly in the ointment for the new project.

C1 The fly in the ointment of the otherwise successful event was the catering mishap.

C2 Despite the team's hard work, the fly in the ointment was the lack of support from upper management.

Examples of fly in the ointment in a Sentence

formal The lack of funding was the fly in the ointment for the new research project.

informal The noisy neighbors are the fly in the ointment of our peaceful evenings.

slang Her negative attitude is always the fly in the ointment when we make plans.

figurative The unexpected rain was the fly in the ointment on our otherwise perfect picnic.

Grammatical Forms of fly in the ointment

• past tense: flew in the ointment
• plural: flies in the ointment
• comparative: more flies in the ointment
• superlative: most flies in the ointment
• present tense: fly in the ointment
• future tense: will fly in the ointment
• perfect tense: have flown in the ointment
• continuous tense: is flying in the ointment
• singular: a fly in the ointment
• positive degree: fly in the ointment
• infinitive: to fly in the ointment
• gerund: flying in the ointment
• participle: flown in the ointment

Origin and Evolution of fly in the ointment

First Known Use: 1382 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The phrase 'fly in the ointment' originates from the Bible, specifically the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in a literal sense to refer to a small insect contaminating a valuable substance, the phrase evolved to represent a minor flaw or defect that spoils something otherwise good or positive.