albatross
A large seabird with very long wings found mainly in the Southern Ocean; figuratively, it refers to a heavy burden or a psychological weight that prevents success or causes constant worry. This metaphorical usage is common in business and politics to describe a persistent problem or liability.
Exemplos
3 de 5The sailors watched as a majestic albatross glided silently above the ship's mast.
The sailors watched as a majestic albatross glided silently above the ship's mast.
The massive pension deficit has become a financial albatross for the struggling corporation.
The massive pension deficit has become a financial albatross for the struggling corporation.
I need to sell this old house; it's becoming a bit of an albatross because of the maintenance costs.
I need to sell this old house; it's becoming a bit of an albatross because of the maintenance costs.
Família de palavras
Dica de memorização
Think of the 'A' in Albatross as an 'Anchor.' Both are heavy things that can be tied to you and prevent you from moving forward.
Quiz rápido
The failed project became an ___ around the department's neck, draining all their resources for years.
Correto!
A resposta correta é: albatross
Exemplos
The sailors watched as a majestic albatross glided silently above the ship's mast.
everydayThe sailors watched as a majestic albatross glided silently above the ship's mast.
The massive pension deficit has become a financial albatross for the struggling corporation.
formalThe massive pension deficit has become a financial albatross for the struggling corporation.
I need to sell this old house; it's becoming a bit of an albatross because of the maintenance costs.
informalI need to sell this old house; it's becoming a bit of an albatross because of the maintenance costs.
Coleridge uses the albatross as a complex symbol of both nature's innocence and the weight of human guilt.
academicColeridge uses the albatross as a complex symbol of both nature's innocence and the weight of human guilt.
The unsuccessful acquisition proved to be an albatross around the CEO's neck during the board meeting.
businessThe unsuccessful acquisition proved to be an albatross around the CEO's neck during the board meeting.
Família de palavras
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
albatross around the neck
a persistent burden or psychological weight
to kill the albatross
to commit an act that brings bad luck or deep guilt
a corporate albatross
a failing department or debt within a company
Frequentemente confundido com
An albatross is much larger and lives in the open ocean, whereas seagulls are smaller and common near coasts.
Both mean a burden, but an albatross specifically implies a burden resulting from a past mistake or bad luck.
Notas de uso
Use 'albatross' when you want to emphasize that a problem is not just a nuisance, but a significant, long-term weight that hampers progress. It is most frequently used in the idiom 'an albatross around one's neck.'
Erros comuns
Learners often use 'albatross' only to refer to the bird, missing its common metaphorical use in professional or literary English. Note that it is almost always used as a noun, never a verb.
Dica de memorização
Think of the 'A' in Albatross as an 'Anchor.' Both are heavy things that can be tied to you and prevent you from moving forward.
Origem da palavra
Originally from the Portuguese 'alcatraz' (meaning pelican or gannet), derived from the Arabic 'al-ghattas' (the diver).
Padrões gramaticais
Contexto cultural
The metaphorical meaning originates from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's 1798 poem 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,' in which a sailor must wear a dead albatross around his neck as punishment for killing it.
Quiz rápido
The failed project became an ___ around the department's neck, draining all their resources for years.
Correto!
A resposta correta é: albatross
Palavras relacionadas
complement
A2A thing that completes or brings to perfection something else. In grammar, it refers to a word or phrase that follows a verb and provides more information about the subject or object.
compound
A2Describes something that is made of two or more separate parts or elements joined together. It is often used to talk about words, sentences, or chemical substances that have multiple components.
conceive
A2To form an idea, plan, or concept in the mind. It is also the medical term used to describe when a woman becomes pregnant.
confer
A2To discuss something with other people in order to reach a decision or exchange ideas. It can also mean to officially give an honor, title, or degree to someone.
conform
A2To behave according to rules, standards, or what is expected by a group of people. It means to fit in or act in a way that matches others.
consecutive
A2Following one after another in a continuous series without any breaks. It describes things that happen in a logical order, like numbers (1, 2, 3) or days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).
consistency
A2Consistency is the quality of always acting or behaving in the same way. it also describes how thick or smooth a liquid or substance is.
disclude
B1Describing a state where someone or something is left out, omitted, or not allowed to participate in a group or activity. It refers to the condition of being kept apart from a whole or a set.
antiformous
B1Describes a shape or structure that is curved or folded upwards like an arch. It is most often used in geology and geometry to describe a convex surface.
interspect
B1Describing a person who is thoughtful and focused on their own internal thoughts and feelings. It refers to the act of looking inward to examine one's own emotions and motives rather than focusing on external things.
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