Ecclesiastes 10:1
“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour.”Read in Context
Modern Meaning
What Does “Fly in the ointment” Mean?
A small defect that ruins the whole.
Biblical Origin
Where Does This Phrase Come From?
The Preacher observes that even a tiny dead fly can ruin an entire batch of precious perfume. The KJV's translation gave English one of its most useful idioms for describing how a small problem can spoil something much larger.
The phrase appears in Ecclesiastes 10:1 in the King James Version of the Bible, first published in 1611.
Usage Today
How Is It Used Today?
Describes a minor flaw that spoils an otherwise good thing. "The venue is perfect — the only fly in the ointment is the parking situation."
The KJV Verse
Ecclesiastes 10:1
“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour.”
Related Phrases