bête noir
Personal sworn enemy
A bête noir is something or someone particularly disliked or dreaded—a personal nemesis or bugbear.
The French phrase means "black beast," suggesting a dark creature that haunts you: Algebra was my bête noir in high school.
Often used with a touch of drama or self-awareness about the intensity of the aversion.
- bugbearPersistent cause of anxiety
- nightmareFrightening dream causing wakefulness
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- sworn enemyVowed lifelong adversary
- mortal enemyLethal sworn adversary
worst nightmare · thorn · thorn in one's side · antagonist · pariah · antipathy · pet hate · anathema · rival · black sheep · detestation · aversion · loathing · foe · vexation · sore point · hobgoblin · adversary
desirability/preference
bête noirfavorite
Most liked option
darling · beloved · pet · pride and joy · apple of one's eye