spectre at the feast
Joy's dark shadow
A spectre at the feast is a person or thing that casts gloom over an otherwise joyful occasion.
The phrase evokes an unwelcome ghost appearing at a celebration, impossible to ignore.
Someone might be the spectre at the feast by raising uncomfortable truths or simply by their grim presence: He didn't want to be the spectre at the feast, but he couldn't pretend everything was fine.
Also spelled specter at the feast.
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- bad omenSign foretelling misfortune
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
- ghostApparition of the dead
- harbingerOne who foreshadows
phantom · memento mori · macabre · disruptor · spoiler · killjoy · presence · elephant in the room · naysayer · interloper · foreboding · dark cloud · sword of Damocles · haunt · death's head · Banquo · intruder · gloom
spectre at the feastlife of the party
Most entertaining guest
life and soul of the party · ray of sunshine · breath of fresh air · party animal · good-time Charlie
spectre at the feastrose-tinted glasses
Unrealistically positive perspective
blissful ignorance · comic relief · court jester · silver lining · Pollyanna
spectre at the feastgood omen
Favorable sign of future
lucky charm · blessing in disguise · fairy godmother · guardian angel
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