worm in the apple
Concealed internal decay
A worm in the apple is a hidden flaw or corrupting element within something that appears wholesome.
The phrase evokes the unpleasant discovery of biting into fruit only to find it infested: The company looked successful, but there was a worm in the apple—the CEO had been cooking the books for years.
Compare *fly in the ointment*.
- fly in the ointmentSmall flaw spoiling everything
- rottenDecomposed or corrupt
- infestationPest takeover situation
- blemishVisible flaw or mark
- maggotImmature fly stage
decay · damage · duplicity · Achilles' heel · backstabbing · contamination · fifth column · poison pill · fatal flaw · treachery · skeleton in the closet · corruption · taint · degradation · sabotage · hypocrisy · parasite · snake in the grass
worm in the appleopen sore
worm in the appleclean bill of health
Official statement of soundness
uncorrupted · untainted · genuine article · solid foundation · pure as the driven snow
worm in the applesaving grace
Compensating good quality
silver lining · redeeming quality · hidden gem · diamond in the rough · secret weapon