C2idiomworkIELTS-friendly
a poisoned chalice
USUK
a job or prize that seems attractive but is likely to bring trouble
Mainly British, common in sports and political journalism.
In context
Managing the national football team has become a poisoned chalice; nobody lasts more than two years.
The promotion turned out to be a poisoned chalice, with a huge budget cut on day one.
More idioms about work
- a baptism of firea very difficult first experience of a new job or activity
- a cushy joba job that is easy and pleasant but still pays well
- a dead-end joba job with no chance of promotion or of learning anything new
- a jack of all tradesa person who can do many different kinds of work fairly well
- a labour of lovehard work that you do because you enjoy it or care about it, not for money