albatross around one's neck
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1798) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, wherein a sailor's killing of an albatross brings bad luck and results in the dead bird being hung around the killer's neck by his crewmates.
Pronunciation edit
Audio (AU) (file)
Noun edit
- (idiomatic, figurative) A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
- He bought the properties last year hoping to make a profit by reselling them; however, with the economic downturn, they have become an albatross around his neck.
Translations edit
thing that hinders
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See also edit
- a millstone round one's neck
- monkey on one's back