# skeleton at the feast

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/skeleton-at-the-feast
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

One whose presence brings gloom to a joyous occasion.

## Examples

- 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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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.