Definition
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Origins
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.
In Context
- "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."
- "Less attention was paid to the albatross that Bain, KKR, and Vornado had placed around the company’s neck. Toys “R” Us had a debt load of $1.86 billion before it was bought out."
- "“Marine wants to be French president, and her chance are pretty good for 2027,” said one former senior AfD official. “Why would she want a bunch of German neo-Nazis like an albatross round her neck?”"
See Also
- millstone around one's neck
- monkey on one's back