black mark

noun

1. an indication of failure or censure.

   His chronic lateness is a black mark against him.

black mark

noun

1. an indication of disapproval, failure, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of black mark¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

It seems unlikely that her age will be the kind of legacy-defining black mark that it has become for Biden.

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Age, though, has become a party-defining black mark for Democrats.

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A new settlement put forward by prosecutors this year dropped the criminal charge, a black mark for Boeing that could have complicated its dealings with the government as a contractor.

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Being seen as cooperating with Israel remains a black mark in Palestinian society.

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Black mark was the shoulder to the head of Tom Lynagh in Sydney.

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