-
Refers to something that overall is flawless but has one small issue
Neutral
这汤美中不足的是不够咸 | Zhè tāng mĕizhōngbùzú de shì bùgòu xián
The only thing wrong with the soup is that it isn't salty enough
[Source]
她法语讲得很流利,但美中不足的是发音不大好 | Tā fǎyǔ jiǎng dé hěn liúlì, dàn měizhōngbùzú de shì fāyīn bù dàhǎo
She speaks French very fluently, but her pronunciation lets her down
[Source]
The fly in the ointment
None
None
《初刻拍案惊奇》(Chū Kè Pāi Àn Jīng Qí), a collection of novels by Míng (明, 1368-1644) writer 凌濛初 (Líng Méng Chū)
This chengyu is from a line in the work listed in the "Origin" section above