albatross around one's neck
English
Alternative forms
- (UK) albatross round one's neck
Etymology
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
Audio (AU) (file)
Noun
albatross around one's neck
- (idiomatic, figuratively) 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
thing that hinders
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See also
- a millstone round one's neck
- monkey on one's back