sting in the tail

A disappointing ending to something, such as a story, that is otherwise upbeat and positive. The movie began as a sweet, romantic love story, so the tragic ending was an unexpected sting in the tail.

See also: sting, tail

a sting in the tail

BRITISH

COMMON If something such as a remark or a plan has a sting in the tail, it seems good at first but contains an unpleasant part at the end. Even the remark about Chomsky being `arguably the most important intellectual alive' had a sting in its tail. The sentence went on: `how can he write such nonsense about international affairs?' The increased tax rate was an unexpected sting in the tail in an otherwise acceptable Budget. Note: This is a reference to a scorpion, which is small and looks harmless, but has a poisonous sting in its tail.

See also: sting, tail

sting in the tail

an unpleasant or problematic end to something.

1992 Ronald Wright Stolen Continents At last Hendrick came to the sting in the tail of his speech.

See also: sting, tail

a ˌsting in the ˈtail

(informal) an unpleasant feature that comes at the end of a story, an event, etc: Roald Dahl’s stories often have a sting in the tail; that’s why I like them.

See also: sting, tail

References in periodicals archive ?

However, the sting in the tail is that the Government is making no extra funding available to pay for this announcement.

VERA BAIRD

There was a sting in the tail for Milczarek as she was found guilty of careless riding after the winner drifted right in the closing stages.

Blake eye for bargain pays off

And the Northern Irishman will be hoping there's no sting in the tail for the Europeans when the action starts.

There's a buzz about the place

LOTTERY OF LOVE Love can be swift, As a bird on a wing, Or creep up on you, To make your heart sing, It can also have a sting in the tail, When that love is one-sided, And so doomed to fail

Poets' corner

But there was a sting in the tail for the Italian as he injured his left thigh with an awkward landing.

Scorpion sick; WORLD OF FOOTBALL

The Dragons looked to be sailing into the last four of the EDF Energy National Trophyas tries from Jonathan Mills and Paul Doran Jones helped them open up an 18 point lead, but this would prove the proverbial game of two halves, with a painful sting in the tail for Welsh as they were beaten 27-21.

SPORTS FILE: Exiles exit in drama

Friday's downpour caused half the field to drop out and while Big Fella Thanks had the race in his pocket over the last four fences, there was a sting in the tail for jockey Christian Williams.

MUD decimated Doncaster's Sky Bet Chase

com is warning that there could be a sting in the tail.

Payment catch; PERSONAL FINANCE

You'd think they'd send her off with a happy storyline after everything the girl has gone through, but the sting in the tail is when her house is burgled.

soaps: home & away; this week

However, the sickening sting in the tail came three minutes from time when Mathias Janisch secured a shock win.

STATE OF F LUX; Devastated O'Neill does not know where to turn after new shocker

Even then, a sharp incline near the end is a sting in the tail for those with hopes of stage victory.

Stage ten

Costly: Scorpion's hefty price tag is sting in the tail Picture: AUTO EXPRESS

Superfast Scorpion is cooking with gas

There was a sting in the tail for Doyle, however, as she picked-up a three-day suspension (June 25-27 inclusive) for careless riding.

Doyle delivers on Bach

Freedman popped up with his second in the 86th minute - but there was a late sting in the tail.

Football: JAMMY RODGERS; Coca Cola LEAGUE 1 PORT VALE 3 LEEDS 3

But the hosts produced a sting in the tail with two goals in the last three minutes to destroy the Walla-sey club's hopes of further progression.