albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“That old debt is an albatross around my neck.”
“This heavy secret is an albatross around her neck.”
“His past mistake became an albatross around his neck, making it difficult for him to get a new job.”
“The expensive sports car you bought is an albatross around your neck because the monthly repairs cost more than your rent.”
“A bad reputation from high school can be an albatross around your neck when you try to make new friends in a small town.”
“The failing company he inherited proved to be an albatross around his neck, preventing him from pursuing his own creative ambitions.”
first recorded 18th c.
The phrase originates in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1798 poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. In the narrative, a sailor shoots a sea bird, an act which is perceived by his crewmates as the cause of a subsequent run of misfortune. As a mark of his guilt and a public reminder of the resulting curse, the crew forces the mariner to wear the carcass of the dead bird suspended from his neck.
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross round one's neck
Alternative form of albatross around one's neck.
Last updated August 10, 2026