Which of the following idioms given in the alternatives has the meaning?
A detrimental circumstance or detail; a drawback.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The phrase 'a fly in the ointment' refers to a small but significant drawback or defect that spoils an otherwise pleasant or valuable situation. It suggests that while everything else might be perfect, one specific 'detrimental circumstance' prevents it from being completely successful.
A fly in amber: Something that is preserved exactly as it was in the past, often used to describe a moment or object frozen in time.
A fly on the wall: An unnoticed observer; someone who wants to hear or see what is happening in a private situation without being noticed.
A fly on the wheel: A person who overestimates their own importance in a large or complex process.