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A/the fly in the ointment

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Spoils Perfection

Emphasizes a defect ruining something otherwise ideal. Reflects disappointment.

Illustration for Spoils Perfection
They offered me my dream job, but the location was a fly in the ointment.
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Small Scale

Highlights that the issue is minor compared to the overall good quality.

Illustration for Small Scale
It's a beautiful house, but being near the airport is the fly in the ointment.
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Metaphoric Usage

Used metaphorically, not describing real flies or ointment.

Illustration for Metaphoric Usage
His constant lateness is the fly in the ointment of our team's productivity.
Visual representation of the word "A/the fly in the ointment"

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