Question

The use of the phrase "fly in the ointment" can be traced to these lines from the Bible:

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. (from Eccl. 10:1 King James Version)
Based on the context in the source, what is the most likely meaning of the phrase "fly in the ointment" in general use?
A) a foolish person who is considered wise
B) a minor flaw that ruins a person or object
C) an example of one man’s repeated poor judgment
D) a worthless person or object that people mistakenly value

Answer 1

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. (from Eccl. 10:1 King James Version)
Based on the context in the source, what is the most likely meaning of the phrase "fly in the ointment" in general use?
fly
B) a minor flaw that ruins a person or object is the answer I would choose. The idea is that the fly which is in the ointment or perhaps in a soup, in itself is not a big problem but is serious enough to contaminate the ointment or say the soup or put people off by just the thought of it even though it is removed.