black mark

American  

noun

1. an indication of failure or censure.

   His chronic lateness is a black mark against him.

---

black mark British  

noun

1. an indication of disapproval, failure, etc

---

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]

---

Etymology

Origin of black mark

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

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.

From BBC

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

From BBC

That would spare Boeing from a criminal record, a black mark that would complicate its dealings as a contractor for the government.

From BBC

Allowing this symposium to proceed along the lines laid out in the announcement will be a black mark for Stanford in the scientific community.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC