# sour note

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/sour-note
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A negative aspect to something mostly positive.

## Examples

- The argument ended the party on a sour note.
- The vacation was perfect, but the lost luggage added a sour note to our final day.
- While the ceremony was largely a success, the speaker's controversial remarks struck a sour note that lingered long after the event concluded.

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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.