| an indication of failure or censure: His chronic lateness is a black mark against him. |
| Main Entry: | black mark |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | an indication on one's record of a grievous error, misdeed, or failure; demerit |
| Example: | Missing that meeting was a black mark against me. |
black mark
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]