The failed deal became an albatross around his career, preventing him from making new breakthroughs.

albatross 原指"信天翁"，这是一种大型海鸟。在英语中常被用作比喻，表示"沉重的负担"或"难以摆脱的障碍"，这个比喻来源于柯勒律治的诗歌《古舟子咏》中水手杀死信天翁带来厄运的情节。