a pain in the neck

/ə peɪn ɪn ðə nɛk/

phrase★Intermediate◆idiom

◆ What It Really Means

Something or someone that is persistently annoying or troublesome.

¶ Literal Meaning

A physical pain located in the neck area.

Literal Breakdown

a paina sensation of discomfort or hurt+in the necklocated in the neck area

◇ Mental Image

The mental image of a literal pain in the neck, which is then metaphorically applied to situations or people that cause frustration.

◈ When to Use

A coworker who constantly interrupts you during meetings could be described as 'a pain in the neck.'

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom is widely used in English-speaking countries to express frustration in a casual and relatable way.

informal

Someone or something that is very annoying or troublesome.

Dealing with constant technical issues is a pain in the neck.

This means the technical problems are frustrating and difficult to handle.

💡

This idiom is commonly used in casual conversation to express frustration.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

a pain in the buttidiom

something or someone that is very annoying

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use this phrase when describing someone or something that is persistently irritating or difficult to deal with.

⚡Gold Rule

Avoid Formal Use

This idiom is informal and should not be used in professional or formal writing.

📖Word Origin

The phrase likely originates from the literal discomfort of having a pain in the neck, metaphorically extending to emotional or situational annoyances.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is informal and should be used in casual or familiar contexts. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings.

English Dictionary