Cool MateFlaw vs That's a black mark
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Flaw
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
That's a black mark
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Flaw
| Flaw | That's a black mark | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/flɔː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/flɔː/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ə blæk mɑːk//🇺🇸 //ðæts ə blæk mɑrk// |
| Meaning | A mistake or defect in something. | A mistake or something bad on someone's record. |
| Example | The diamond was nearly perfect, but it had a tiny flaw that lowered its value. | Getting caught cheating was a black mark on his academic record. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | big, main, major, contain, have, look for, appear, become apparent, flaw in, big, main, major, contain, have, look for, appear, become apparent, flaw in, big, main, major, contain, have, look for, appear, become apparent, flaw in | black mark on record, black mark against someone, leave a black mark, considered a black mark |
| Antonyms | perfection, strength, virtue | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'flawless' — they are opposites., Using 'flaw' as a verb (it is a noun)., Overusing it in casual speech; it's more formal. | Confused with other idioms like 'black sheep' or 'black eye'., Used in formal contexts where a different expression is more appropriate., Misunderstanding the meaning as only related to physical marks. |
| Usage notes | Use 'flaw' to describe imperfections in objects, plans, or arguments. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts but is less likely to be used in very casual or slang conversations. | Use this phrase in neutral contexts when referring to a negative aspect of someone's behavior or performance. It's not suitable for formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Flaw vs That's a black mark
What's the difference between Flaw and That's a black mark?
Flaw: A mistake or defect in something. That's a black mark: A mistake or something bad on someone's record.
Which is more common: Flaw and That's a black mark?
Flaw is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Flaw: The diamond was nearly perfect, but it had a tiny flaw that lowered its value. That's a black mark: Getting caught cheating was a black mark on his academic record.
Can I use Flaw and That's a black mark interchangeably?
Not always. Flaw and That's a black mark are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.