How to Pronounce "a fly in the ointment"
expression
uh FLY in thee OYNT-muhnt
uh FLY in the OYNT-muhnt
Definition
A small problem or negative detail that spoils something good or reduces its enjoyment.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈfɫaɪ/ /ˈɪn/, /ɪn/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈɔɪntmənt
British English
æɪ/ /flˈaɪ/ /ˈɪn/ /ðə, ði/ /ˈɔɪntmənt
Simplified Pronunciation
US
uh FLY in thee OYNT-muhnt
UK
uh FLY in the OYNT-muhnt
Listen in Context
Everything at the party was perfect, but the loud music was a fly in the ointment.
The only fly in the ointment was that it rained during our picnic.
There is always a fly in the ointment in every plan.
I finally got the promotion, but the extra workload is a fly in the ointment.