English Idiom – Pain in the neck.
Meaning – Something or someone that is annoying or difficult to deal with. Someone or something that causes trouble or irritation. This expression can be used to describe a situation that is bothersome.
If you are feeling extremely angry, annoyed, or irritable you are like a bear with a sore head (idiom).
If somebody is being a pain in the neck you might blow up (phrasal verb) or storm out (phrasal verb)!
Usage:
When could you use this idiom?
- Your brother or sister won’t let you get on with your work in peace.
- You have a pile of homework to do.
- A neighbour’s dog is constantly barking and you can’t sleep.
- You are trying to complete a puzzle but it’s proving very difficult.
Example:
- “Will you just leave me alone! I’ve got a zillion things to finish and you won’t let me get on with it. You are such a pain in the neck!”
In The News:
“Especially in that first half, I thought he was a real pain in the neck for the Blackburn defence.”
Discuss:
- Is there an idiom like this in your country?
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words, but has a separate meaning of its own.
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