a bed of nails

a bed of nails

Something painful, challenging, or unpleasant. This project is a bed of nails—it's just so tedious. My family members are constantly arguing, so spending time with them can be a bed of nails.
See also: bed, nail, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a bed of nails

a problematic or uncomfortable situation.
A bed of nails was originally a board with nails pointing out of it, lain on by Eastern fakirs and ascetics.
See also: bed, nail, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be a bed of nails
  • pull teeth
  • like pulling teeth
  • bang away at (someone or something)
  • get out of this taco stand
  • be heavy going
  • bust out of this popsicle stand
  • get out of this popsicle stand
  • heavy going
  • heavy weather
References in periodicals archive
Well not exactly a bed of nails. More like a mini mattress with a lot of plastic spikes on it.
Me and my bed of 'nails'
I attended that event (which featured Bob, nude, lying on a bed of nails), and the next day the three of us reconvened in the hospital-room installation, where we talked (interrupted each time Bob was hoisted, upside down and naked, to the ceiling) until the tape in my portable tape recorder ran out.
The reaction I'm most surprised at when I get lifted up in the air by my ankles, or when I lie on a bed of nails, like at my birthday party, is that people break into tears.
Bob's thing