banana peel

Definitions

1. The several outermost layers of a banana, especially once removed from the rest of the banana, which may be slippery if stepped on.
   Canada, Philippines, US
2. A cause of difficulty, or potential embarrassment.
   Canada, US, broadly, figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“Furthermore, he is completely surrounded by banana peels. Canada's economy is slowing down, though less so far than extreme pessimists feared. Newly released figures show⟳ that our merchandise trade⟳ surplus in 1989 fell by more than half to its lowest level in 10 years. And, ever since it peaked on Jan. 12, the dollars yo-yo motion has juddered erratically, signalling confusion to the money markets of the world where the mismanagement of a national economy is judged with a harsh and unforgiving coldness. The freshest banana peel under Mr. Wilson's foot is the report⟳ that inflation in January jumped from December's 5.1 per cent to 5.5 per cent -- right on the heels of Thursday's rise⟳ of more then half a percentage point⟳ in the Bank of Canada rate.”

“We had the first black president, trying to bring⟳ home a victory on healthcare. I didn’t want⟳ to be a banana peel for him.”

CEFR level