45+ Idioms for Pain to Express Your Sufferings 

Pain is a universal human experience that can be caused by physical injury, emotional distress, or a combination of both. It is a feeling that we all encounter at some point in our lives and can be expressed in different ways. One way to express pain is through idioms. Idioms are phrases that have a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. In this blog, we will explore seven idioms for pain, their meanings, origins, and examples to express suffering. 

Also Read: Understanding Idioms: Examples and Meanings

Top 7 Idioms For Pain and Hurt Feelings

People get pain after they get hurt in their lives. It could be physical or mental as when you get wounded it happens. People get hurt by others as they hurt their feelings by doing or saying something bad. Additionally, here are some of the Idioms for Pain and Hurt feelings that will help you learn more about these feelings.

Bite the Bullet

The idiom Bite the bullet means to endure a painful or difficult situation without complaining. In popular culture, the origin of this phrase comes from the practice of soldiers biting on a bullet during surgery without anaesthesia. Because the bullet was used as a makeshift mouthguard to prevent the soldier from biting their tongue during the procedure.

Example: Even though the dentist’s drill was hurting her, she decided to bite the bullet and continue with the procedure.

Hit Below the Belt

This idiom is derived from the sport of boxing, where hitting below the beltline is considered an illegal move. The phrase has since transcended its literal meaning and is commonly used metaphorically to describe actions or comments that are unfair, unethical, or hurtful.

Example: During the heated debate, Sarah hit below the belt by bringing up a personal issue that had nothing to do with the discussion.

Break a Leg

This idiom is commonly used to wish someone good luck before a performance. However, it also has a darker meaning related to pain. The origin of this phrase comes from the belief that wishing someone good luck before a performance would bring bad luck. Therefore, instead of wishing good luck, people would say “Break a leg” as a way to wish them the opposite. 

Example: I know you’re nervous about your audition, but just remember to break a leg!

Cut to the Bone

This idiomatic phrase means to cause extreme pain or suffering. The origin of this phrase comes from the idea of cutting so deeply that you reach the bone, which is one of the most sensitive parts of the body. 

Example: The loss of his wife cut him to the bone, and he never fully recovered from it.

Also Read: 10 Best Idioms for Love to Express Your Heart

In a World of Hurt

This idiom means to be in a lot of pain or trouble. The origin of this phrase is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 1900s. 

Example: After falling off his bike, he was in a world of hurt and had to go to the hospital.

Pain in the Neck

When you say Pain in the neck, then it refers to someone or something that is annoying or troublesome. The origin of this phrase comes from the idea that a literal pain in the neck can be very uncomfortable and distracting. 

Example: My boss is such a pain in the neck; he’s always giving me extra work to do.

A Thorn in One’s Side

This idiom means someone or something that causes ongoing irritation or discomfort. The origin of this phrase comes from the biblical story of Paul, who had a thorn in his side that caused him constant pain.

Example: The noisy neighbours were a thorn in her side, and she couldn’t wait to move out.

Twist the Knife

Twist the knife means to make someone’s pain or suffering worse by adding insult to injury. This phrase comes from the act of twisting a knife after stabbing someone, which would cause even more pain. 

Example: After breaking up with her, he twisted the knife by telling her he never loved her.

Also Read: Idioms for Disappointment

30 Idioms for Pain You Must Know!

Here is an additional list of idioms for pain which you must know and can even use it in your daily life.

Idioms for Pain	Meaning	Example Sentences
Hit the Roof	To become very angry or upset.	When my sister broke my favourite toy, I hit the roof.
Grin and Bear it	To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with a smile.	Even though the hike was tough, I had to grin and bear it.
Tough Nut to Crack	A problem that is difficult to solve or a person who is hard to persuade.	Learning multiplication tables can be a tough nut to crack.
Pain in the Behind	Something or someone that is very annoying or troublesome.	The loud music from the neighbours at night is a real pain in the behind.
Rub Someone the Wrong Way	To irritate or annoy someone.	His constant whistling rubs me the wrong way.
Stick in One’s Craw	Something that is hard to accept or swallow.	His unfair decision really sticks in my craw.
A Bitter Pill to Swallow	Something unpleasant that must be accepted.	Losing the match was a bitter pill to swallow.
Nip in the Bud	To stop something at an early stage before it becomes a bigger problem.	I noticed the argument escalating, so I tried to nip it in the bud.
Make Someone’s Blood Boil	To make someone very angry.	Being accused of cheating made his blood boil.
Cry over Spilled Milk	To worry about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.	There’s no use crying over spilled milk; let’s just clean it up and move on.
Jump out of One’s Skin	To be startled or frightened.	The sudden loud noise made me jump out of my skin.
On Pins and Needles	Feeling nervous or anxious about something.	I was on pins and needles waiting for the test results.
Like Pulling Teeth	Something that is very difficult or painful to do.	Getting him to clean his room is like pulling teeth.
In the Heat of the Moment	Acting impulsively or irrationally due to strong emotions.	I said some things I didn’t mean in the heat of the moment.
Kick the Bucket	To die.	“I’m not ready to kick the bucket just yet, said her grandfather.
Suffer in Silence	To endure pain or hardship without complaining.	She suffered in silence rather than burden others with her problems.
As sick as a dog	Very sick or ill.	After eating too much candy, he felt as sick as a dog.
Pain in the Butt	Something or someone irritating or troublesome.	Waiting in line for hours is a real pain in the butt.
Have a Bone to Pick	To have a disagreement or complaint that needs to be addressed.	I have a bone to pick with my neighbour about their loud music.

Drive Someone Up the Wall	To irritate or annoy someone greatly.	His constant tapping drives me up the wall.
To Hit a Nerve	To say or do something that makes someone feel hurt or upset.	When you mentioned her grades, it hit a nerve.
A Pain in the Rear	Something or someone annoying or troublesome.	Dealing with all this paperwork is a pain in the rear.
A Thorn in One’s Flesh	Something or someone causing persistent trouble or annoyance.	His constant whistling is a thorn in my flesh.
Get on One’s Nerves	To irritate or annoy someone.	Her constant complaining gets on my nerves.
Make On’es Hackles Rise	To make someone very angry or annoyed.	His rude comments made my hackles rise.
Like a Fish Out of Water	Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation.	I felt like a fish out of water at the new school.
Feel the Pinch	To experience financial difficulties or pressure.	My family is starting to feel the pinch after the car broke down.
A Sharp Pain	A sudden, intense pain	I felt a sharp pain in my knee after tripping on the sidewalk.
Like Nails on a Chalkboard	Extremely annoying or unpleasant.	The sound of his voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me.
Aches and Pains	General discomfort or soreness in the body.	After the hike, I had aches and pains all over.

Idioms for Pain Quiz

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What does the idiom “a pain in the neck” mean? a) A literal physical pain in the neck b) A very irritating person or thing c) A sudden sharp pain d) To be heartbroken
2. Which idiom describes someone who is experiencing a lot of emotional distress? a) A pain in the neck b) To be heartbroken c) A pang of pain d) To be in agony
3. What idiom means to experience a sudden sharp pain? a) A pain in the neck b) To be heartbroken c) A pang of pain d) To be in agony
4. Which idiom describes someone who is suffering greatly? a) A pain in the neck b) To be heartbroken c) A pang of pain d) To be in agony
5. What idiom means to experience a gradual increase in pain or difficulty? a) Growing pains b) A pain in the neck c) To be heartbroken d) A pang of pain

Check Your Answers:

1. b) A very irritating person or thing
2. b) To be heartbroken
3. c) A pang of pain
4. d) To be in agony
5. a) Growing pains

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