albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability…A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
» That's an albatross off my neck.
Meaning
1 senses(figuratively, idiomatic)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.
Klotz am Bein
Examples
1 sentencesThat's an albatross off my neck.
Translations
3 languagesBy meaning 1
Origin
From The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1798) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, wherein a sailor'sFrom 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.
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