The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word SNAG which also is the latest solution we found used in LA Times in 2024.
Fly in the ointment crossword clue answers
Here's a list of possible crossword answers ranked by the most likely to least likely.
| Answer | Likelyness | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| SNAG | 68 % | 4 |
| SNAFU | 21 % | 5 |
| HITCH | 2 % | 5 |
| DRAWBACK | 2 % | 8 |
| DEFECT | 1 % | 6 |
| SPOILER | 1 % | 7 |
| RUB | 1 % | 3 |
| FLAW | 1 % | 4 |
| CATCH | 1 % | 5 |
Why may SNAG be the right solution?
The phrase "fly in the ointment" means a small issue that spoils something good. "Snag" is a synonym for an unexpected problem or difficulty, making it a fitting answer for this clue.
Words with a meaning similar to the clue: Fly in the ointment
These words may or may not be a possible solution to this crosswords clue.- drop in the bucket
- drop in the pond
- bane of one's life
- blot on the escutcheon
- drop in the sea
- piece of one
- hitch
- bump in the road
- drop in the ocean
- salt in the wound
- snag
- egg on one's face
Crossword Answer definitions
SNAG noun- A stump or base of a branch that has been lopped off; a short branch, or a sharp or rough branch.
- A dead tree that remains standing.
- A tree, or a branch of a tree, fixed in the bottom of a river or other navigable water, and rising nearly or quite to the surface, by which boats are sometimes pierced and sunk.
- (by extension) Any sharp protuberant part of an object, which may catch, scratch, or tear other objects brought into contact with it.
- A tooth projecting beyond the others; a broken or decayed tooth.
- A problem or difficulty with something.
- A pulled thread or yarn, as in cloth.
- One of the secondary branches of an antler.
- To catch or tear (e.g. fabric) upon a rough surface or projection.
- To damage or sink (a vessel) by collision; said of a tree or branch fixed to the bottom of a navigable body of water and partially submerged or rising to just beneath the surface.
- To fish by means of dragging a large hook or hooks on a line, intending to impale the body (rather than the mouth) of the target.
- To obtain or pick up (something).
- To stealthily steal with legerdemain prowess (something).
- To cut the snags or branches from, as the stem of a tree; to hew roughly.
- A light meal.
- A sausage.
- A goal.
- A misnaged, an opponent to Chassidic Judaism (more likely modern, for cultural reasons).
More crossword clues leading to the same solutions
Here's a few more crossword clues - all leading to the identical solution
More clues leading to the result SNAG
- Glitch
- Hidden obstacle
- Unforeseen obstacle
- Unforseen problem
- Cause of a run
- Hangup in the negotiations
- Hoisery mishap
- Run producer
- Stocking spoiler
- Unforseen obstacle
More clues leading to the result SNAFU
- Confusion acronym
- Big mistake
- Bollix
- Big mess
- Bad spot
- Big hiccup
- Big muddle
- Big problem
- Confused situation
- Huge screwup
More clues leading to the result HITCH
- Trailer need
- Snag
- 2005 Will Smith romcom
- Stint in the army
- Small obstacle
- Unforeseen obstacle
- Without a ___ (problem-free)
- Knot that's easily loosened
- Thumb
- Pull (up), as pants
More clues leading to the result DRAWBACK
More clues leading to the result DEFECT
More clues leading to the result SPOILER
- Reason for an alert
- Louse
- Surprise-ruining info
- It ruins the surprise
- Grandma, at times
- Noncontender that beats a pennant race team, e.g.
- Minor party candidate, often
- Third-party candidate, perhaps
- Ralph Nader in the 2000 election, according to Gore supporters
- Alert follower, perhaps
More clues leading to the result RUB
- Spice massaged onto raw food
- Try to work the knots out of, as a muscle
- Tug partner
- Massage
- "Ay, there's the ___"
- Get the knots out of, say
- Predicament
- Spa selection
- Source of irritation
- Abrade
More clues leading to the result FLAW
- Defect
- Diamond defect
- Imperfection
- Blemish
- Coloration in a diamond, e.g.
- Fault
- It may be tragic
- Scratch or dent, e.g.
- Glitch
- Character weakness