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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

black mark

The annuity industry recently got a black mark after Delaware Life, an insurer controlled by Dodgers owner Mark Walter, disclosed it was under federal investigation for failing to report loans to other entities he owned.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026

Carrying that kind of balance with one of the most expensive and precarious types of debt is another black mark for any lender offering you a card.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

It left a scorched black mark on his orange rayon shirt that made him look like a superhero.

From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026

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

From Slate ● Apr. 28, 2026

“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

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