If something or someone is a pain in the neck, they either cause trouble or they’re a source of unhappiness. A polite way to say that a person is bothersome or annoying.
Example
My dog chews everything in sight! Gosh he’s such a pain in the neck.
I love my kids but they are such a pain in the neck.
Similar phrases and uses
‘a pain in the butt’ or ‘a pain in the ass’ is a rude way of saying someone or something is annoying. It’s common to use the phrase ‘a pain’. For example, ‘he’s a pain, she’s a pain, my mom’s a pain’.
I’m sorry to be a pain but would you be able to help me move these boxes?
Your brother is such a pain in the ass, he ruined my birthday cake!
Quiz
What is an Idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that usually presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase. Idioms are not just used in conversations – they’re also very common in literature, movies, and music. We utilize them to convey a message in a concise and effective manner, and often have deep cultural or historical significance. They help to create a vivid and memorable image in the minds of the audience.
Idioms are difficult because they do not mean what they literally state. Communication challenges emerge when you translate an idiom in your language; it will not make sense or if it does make sense you may miss the intended meaning.
How to Study Idioms
- Read them. Read books, newspapers, magazine articles, online articles for exposure in written material.
- Watch them. Watch TV shows and movies in English! There are so many streaming services available for you to choose from. Listen attentively and try to understand the context in which they are used.
- Use them. Talk to native speakers and try to incorporate common idioms into your conversations. Try using them during conversations with friends, family, coworkers, or through text.
- Practice. Practice. Practice. Remember that you can’t learn all of them! So start with a few that you understand and build your library of idioms from there!
