black mark

American  

noun

1. an indication of failure or censure.

   His chronic lateness is a black mark against him.

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black mark British  

noun

1. an indication of disapproval, failure, etc

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black mark Idioms  

1. An indication of censure or failure, as in If you refuse to work late, won't that be a black mark against you? This phrase alludes to a literal black mark, such as a cross, that was put next to a person's name, indicating that he or she had incurred a rebuke or penalty of some kind. [Mid-1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of black mark

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Sorsby’s case is an unambiguous black mark for the entire enterprise of legal sports betting, though.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

In fact, if the indictments become a black mark against the company among some customers, Dell may have one less rival to worry about.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

The name Jean-Baptiste Lamarck has long carried a black mark in the annals of science.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Refusals or questioning led to the withdrawal of athletic sponsorship and a black mark against your name in Stasi files.

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2024

“I brought you a sandwich since you weren’t at lunch. Camilla said the lady in the dining hall saw me stealing it and she made a black mark by my name on a list.”

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt