albatross around one's neck

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word albatross around one's neck. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word albatross around one's neck, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say albatross around one's neck in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word albatross around one's neck you have here. The definition of the word albatross around one's neck will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofalbatross around one's neck, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia
Coleridge's Ancient Mariner (engraving by Gustave Doré, 1876)

Alternative forms

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

  • (file)

Noun

albatross around one's neck

  1. (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

See also