Enter a clue or pattern or both:
The Clue
Fly in the ointment, e.g. (7 letter answer)
The Answer
PROBLEM
Tags
Notes
The answer PROBLEM is rarely seen, appearing only about once every 1600 puzzles.
Related Clues
Bugbear
"No ___!"
Puzzler
Stumper
Gordian knot, for one
Perplexing situation
Bit of math homework
Leak on a ship, e.g.
Definition
PROBLEM as a noun:
1. (problem, job) = a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved; "she and her husband are having problems"; "it is always a job to contact him"; "urban problems such as traffic congestion and smog"
2. (trouble, problem) = a source of difficulty; "one trouble after another delayed the job"; "what's the problem?"
3. a question raised for consideration or solution; "our homework consisted of ten problems to solve"