A blot on the landscape


What's the meaning of the phrase 'A blot on the landscape'?

Something that spoils the view or ruins a previously comfortable situation.

What's the origin of the phrase 'A blot on the landscape'?

T. E. (Thomas Edward) Lawrence, in ‘Letters’ (edited D. Garnett), 1938:

“His two Kufti people – will be rather a blot on the landscape.”

Tom Sharpe published a novel – ‘Blott on the Landscape’ in 1975.

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.