The meaning of the idiom a pain in the neck is someone or something that is very annoying and irritating and you can’t withstand it.
When something is a pain in the neck it annoys you all the time and distracts you from doing important things.
This idiom is frequently used to describe a situation or a person who has been pretty irritating for some time and you want to get rid of it.
Usage with Examples
“A pain in the neck” can be used in various situations. It can be used for friends, family, acquaintances and colleagues.
In the latter case, a person can be offended. That’s why a person must keep a check on the tone of the voice.
This idiom describes a person’s irritation, therefore, one must make sure that they don’t use this idiom in the open unless they want to offend someone deliberately.
Mentioned below are some examples where the idiom a pain in the neck can be used:
- “Cash-only payment is a pain in the neck for those who have no habit of carrying cash around with them”.
- She complains all the time which has become a pain in the neck of the manager.
- The noise of construction is a pain in the neck as I cannot focus on my studies.
Also Read: Useful Idioms with Examples, Sentences and Meanings
Synonyms and Similar Words to a Pain in the Neck
Mentioned below are some synonyms and related words to a pain in the neck:
- Annoyance
- Irritant
- Nuisance
- Pest
- Inconvenience
A Pain in the Neck Meaning Quiz
She was a pain in the neck and no one was happy when she:
- Left the department
- Was promoted
- Decided to quit
Ans: Was promoted
Also Read: Idioms for IELTS
This was all about the idiom a pain in the neck meaning and examples. Hope you understood the concept where it’s used. For more such blogs, follow Leverage Edu.