poisoned chalice
Deadly seeming blessing
A poisoned chalice is something that appears desirable but brings harm or ruin to whoever receives it.
The image is of a ceremonial cup secretly laced with poison—a gift that kills.
The phrase typically describes jobs, honors, or opportunities that seem attractive but prove disastrous: The CEO position turned out to be a poisoned chalice, with the company already drowning in debt.
Often used in politics and business for roles inherited at impossible moments.
- Pyrrhic victorySuccess with crippling cost
- hollow victoryTriumph devoid of reward
- Trojan horseConcealed threat within welcome package
- Greek giftTreacherous seeming benefit
- wolf in sheep's clothingConcealed threat appearing innocent
kiss of death · Faustian bargain · devil's bargain · crown of thorns · bed of nails · deception · false promise · white elephant · bait · fool's gold · Macbeth · double-edged sword · Catch-22 · trap · booby trap · hospital pass · gilded cage · snare
- trade-offstrade-off, pros and cons, double-edged sword, mixed blessing, give and take
poisoned chalicegolden opportunity
Exceptionally favorable circumstance
windfall · boon · godsend · gift horse · stroke of luck
poisoned chalicedream job
Perfect occupation imagined
golden ticket · launching pad · stepping stone · ticket to success · sure thing
poisoned chalicepeace offering
Gesture to end conflict
olive branch · helping hand · act of kindness · labor of love
poison, potion, poisoned, poisoning, poisons, chalice, poisoner