ən ˈælbətrɒs əˈraʊnd wʌnz nek
Animals
formal
advanced
- Literally:
- A large seabird hanging from someone's neck
What does "an albatross around one's neck" mean?
A heavy burden or curse that one must bear
Examples
- The failed investment became an albatross around his neck for years.
- Her criminal record was an albatross around her neck.
- The aging stadium has become an albatross around the city's neck.
Origin
From Coleridge's 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' (1798).
How to use it
Used in formal writing to describe lingering consequences.
Similar expressions
millstone around one's neck
heavy burden
cross to bear
Opposites
feather in one's cap
badge of honor
Related idioms
- kill two birds with one stone
To accomplish two goals with a single action
- let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret accidentally
- elephant in the room
An obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to discuss
- don't count your chickens before they hatch
Don't assume success before it actually happens
- hold your horses
To wait and be patient
- fish out of water
Someone who feels awkward or uncomfortable in a particular situation
Use it in a practice answer
Try "an albatross around one's neck" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.