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poisoned chalice

noun

Definition of poisoned chalice

chiefly British
: something that seems attractive at first but becomes unpleasant
  • For her, working as store manager was a poisoned chalice as it became more and more difficult to be the boss of her friends.

Word by Word Definitions

poison play poisoned

  1. : a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs an organism

  2. : something destructive or harmful

  3. : an object of aversion or abhorrence

  1. : to injure or kill with poison

  2. : to treat, taint, or impregnate with or as if with poison

  3. : to exert a baneful influence on : corrupt

  1. : poisonous, venomous

  2. : impregnated with poison : poisoned

See the full definition of poison
chalice play

  1. : a drinking cup : goblet

  2. : the cup-shaped interior of a flower

See the full definition of chalice

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