a black mark
/ə ˌblæk ˈmɑːk/NEUTRAL · C1
Meaning
a fact that makes people think worse of you
Examples
- 1Missing the deadline was a black mark against him in his first review.
- 2One rude email left a black mark on her record at the agency.
- 3Arriving late to the interview was a black mark, even though her answers were excellent.
- 4Will one failed inspection really be a black mark against the restaurant for years?
- 5The complaint from a customer is a black mark on Tom's otherwise perfect record.
Grammar
Countable: a black mark, plural black marks. Often followed by against or on and a person or their record.
More idioms about colours
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →the pot calling the kettle blackcriticising someone for a fault you also havenail your colours to the mastto say publicly and firmly what you believe or supportout of the bluecompletely unexpectedlyonce in a blue moonvery rarelya white liea small untruth told to avoid hurting someonegreen with envyvery jealous of what someone else has
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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