ENGLISH
REFERENCE

skeleton at the feast

idiom
Meaning

One whose presence brings gloom to a joyous occasion.


Examples
SIMPLE

His constant complaining makes him a skeleton at the feast.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager arrived with bad news, acting like a skeleton at the feast during our celebration.

COMPLEX

By reminding everyone of the impending bankruptcy, the accountant acted as a skeleton at the feast, effectively silencing the room.

Anchors to
Related idioms5entries
  1. 01

    feast or famine

    A situation in which something is always either extremely abundant or in extremely short supply.

  2. 02

    ghost at the feast

    A presence that mars one's enjoyment by causing guilt or reviving unwelcome memories.

  3. 03

    skeleton crew

    A crew consisting of the minimum number of personnel needed to maintain and operate the basic functions of something, such as a business, a factory, or a ship.

  4. 04

    skeleton in the closet

    A shameful secret.

  5. 05

    skeleton in the cupboard

    A shameful secret.

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