fly in the ointment /'ɒɪntm(ə)nt/ informal fly是苍蝇，ointment是油膏或者药膏。可想而知小小的苍蝇掉进了一缸油膏里，可不是把好好的油膏全糟蹋了吗?由此可以推想fly in the ointment这个习惯用语必定指虽小却搅了全局的东西或事情。 a single thing or person that is spoiling a situation that could have been very positive or enjoy