box-office poison

Meaning

'Box-office poison' is a term used to describe an actor, director, or film genre that consistently fails to attract audiences, resulting in major financial losses. It suggests that attaching their name to a project will ruin its chances of commercial success.

Examples

• After a string of high-profile flops, the actor was labeled box-office poison by the studios.

  After a string of high-profile flops, the actor was labeled box-office poison by the studios.

• No producer wanted to hire him because they feared he had become box-office poison.

  No producer wanted to hire him because they feared he had become box-office poison.

• The historical drama genre was considered box-office poison for nearly a decade.

  The historical drama genre was considered box-office poison for nearly a decade.

• Despite her talent, her recent choices have unfortunately made her box-office poison.

  Despite her talent, her recent choices have unfortunately made her box-office poison.

• The studio took a huge risk casting someone who was widely seen as box-office poison.

  The studio took a huge risk casting someone who was widely seen as box-office poison.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The actor became a box-office poison.

  ✓ The actor became box-office poison.

  'Box-office poison' is an uncountable noun phrase when used as a predicate nominative. Do not use the indefinite article 'a' before it.

• ✗ The film was a box-office poison.

  ✓ The film was box-office poison.

  Similar to the mistake with actors, avoid using 'a' before 'box-office poison' when describing a movie.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After starring in three expensive flops in a row, she was suddenly seen as ___.

  💡 A term for an actor who cannot attract ticket buyers.

  Show answer

  box-office poison

• Studios avoided making pirate movies for years because they were considered ___.

  💡 Toxic to ticket sales.

  Show answer

  box-office poison