skunk at a garden party
Social gathering disaster
A skunk at a garden party is someone whose presence ruins an otherwise pleasant gathering—unwelcome, impossible to ignore, and likely to drive others away.
The phrase describes anyone who spoils a social occasion by being offensive, disruptive, or simply wrong for the setting: His bringing up the lawsuit made him the skunk at the garden party.
- buzzkillFun-spoiling person or thing
- mood killerWhat ruins atmosphere
- downerDispiriting experience or thing
- fly in the ointmentSmall flaw spoiling everything
- stinkOffensive smell
killjoy · spoilsport · unwelcome guest · nuisance · sour note · bad apple · disruption · monkey wrench · bull in a china shop · Debbie Downer · faux pas · stick in the mud · elephant in the room · wet blanket · turd in the punchbowl · embarrassment · black sheep · odd man out
skunk at a garden partyguest of honor
Celebrated person at event
life of the party · belle of the ball · breath of fresh air · VIP · star attraction
skunk at a garden partypeacemaker
Conflict resolution agent
crowd pleaser · harmonizer · ice breaker · good sport · team player
skunk at a garden partyperfect fit
one of us · right at home · in one's element · part of the furniture · old friend
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