skeleton at the feast
One whose presence brings gloom to a joyous occasion.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“His constant complaining makes him a skeleton at the feast.”
“The manager arrived with bad news, acting like a skeleton at the feast during our celebration.”
“By reminding everyone of the impending bankruptcy, the accountant acted as a skeleton at the feast, effectively silencing the room.”
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feast or famine
A situation in which something is always either extremely abundant or in extremely short supply.
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ghost at the feast
A presence that mars one's enjoyment by causing guilt or reviving unwelcome memories.
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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.
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skeleton in the closet
A shameful secret.
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skeleton in the cupboard
A shameful secret.
Last updated August 10, 2026