🪰 Fly
"Fly in the ointment"
Meaning
A small problem that spoils a good situation.
About the fly
Flies are small, fast, and easily swatted away, so their idioms describe minor irritations and vulnerability.
Example sentence
The picnic was perfect, but the rain was the fly in the ointment.
Test yourself
Which idiom means...
A small problem that spoils a good situation.
More fly idioms
FlyIdiom
"Kill a fly with a cannonball"
To use too much force for a small problem.
FlyIdiom
"Dropping like flies"
Many people or things failing, leaving, or becoming sick quickly.
FlyIdiom
"Fly in the ointment"
A small problem that spoils an otherwise good situation.
FlyIdiom
"A fly on the wall"
Someone who quietly watches or listens without being noticed.
FlyIdiom
"Bug-eyed"
Very surprised, with eyes wide open.