a millstone round (one's) neck

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a millstone round (one's) neck

An extremely difficult or disadvantageous burden or hindrance. I wish I hadn't bought that house—the mortgage has been nothing but a millstone round my neck. Given the man's laundry list of scandals, he's proving to be quite a millstone round the candidate's neck.
See also: millstone, neck, round

a millstone round your neck

a very severe impediment or disadvantage.
A millstone was a large circular stone used to grind corn. The phrase alludes to a method of executing people by throwing them into deep water with a heavy stone attached to them, a fate believed to have been suffered by several early Christian martyrs.
See also: millstone, neck, round
References in periodicals archive ?
As you all TUCK into your oversize TURKEYs give a thought to many who will get their Christmas food from food BANKs after listening to George Osborne's budget statement that this country's debt will a millstone round our NECKs for 'years'.
Good year for some; MAILBAG
Forget the Worthington Cup - I really believe that great day out has become a millstone round our necks. Just look at our points return since.
SPORTS LETTER: FRANCIS IS ON BORROWED TIME
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