like pulling teeth

Said of something that is especially difficult, tedious, requires an extreme amount of effort, or is done in the most difficult or unpleasant way possible. With this new way of preparing vegetables, getting your kids to eat their greens is no longer like pulling teeth. It's been like pulling teeth trying to get my family members organized for this get together, but I think it will all be worth it!

See also: like, pull, teeth

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

like pulling teeth

Very difficult, especially to extract information from someone. For example, It's like pulling teeth to get a straight answer from him.

See also: like, pull, teeth

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

like pulling teeth

If doing something is like pulling teeth, it is very difficult. Identifying poor working practices is easy. Doing something about it is like pulling teeth. Trying to get him to talk about his music was like pulling teeth. Note: When a dentist pulls someone's tooth, they pull it out of their gum. In the past, this was done without anaesthetic and so it was difficult and painful.

See also: like, pull, teeth

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

like pulling teeth

extremely difficult or laborious to do. informal

2002 Independent It was like pulling teeth in the first half. I thought we were never going to score.

See also: like, pull, teeth

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

like pulling ˈteeth

very difficult: It was like pulling teeth to get the kids to work together.

See also: like, pull, teeth

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

See also:

pull teeth
get (something) over with
get it over with
find (something) out the hard way
make (something) seem like a picnic
hard/tough sledding
difficult times
be like looking for a needle in a haystack
be like trying to find a needle in a haystack
from bad to worse

References in periodicals archive

Maintaining contemporary modern dance companies in Los Angeles and filling concert halls has been like pulling teeth. With numerous factors conspiring against the art form, it's no wonder dance has failed to establish roots.

Stubborn Dance in L.A

First of all, talking to insurance agents about MSA plans available in my area was like pulling teeth. Part of the problem is that most independent insurance agents who sell health coverage to firms like mine make their money by taking a commission on the first year of premiums.

Health nuts: how Congress kept me from giving my employees Medical Savings Accounts

词组	like pulling teeth
释义	like pulling teeth like pulling teeth Said of something that is especially difficult, tedious, requires an extreme amount of effort, or is done in the most difficult or unpleasant way possible. With this new way of preparing vegetables, getting your kids to eat their greens is no longer like pulling teeth. It's been like pulling teeth trying to get my family members organized for this get together, but I think it will all be worth it! See also: like, pull, teeth Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. like pulling teeth Very difficult, especially to extract information from someone. For example, It's like pulling teeth to get a straight answer from him. See also: like, pull, teeth The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. like pulling teeth If doing something is like pulling teeth, it is very difficult. Identifying poor working practices is easy. Doing something about it is like pulling teeth. Trying to get him to talk about his music was like pulling teeth. Note: When a dentist pulls someone's tooth, they pull it out of their gum. In the past, this was done without anaesthetic and so it was difficult and painful. See also: like, pull, teeth Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. like pulling teeth extremely difficult or laborious to do. informal 2002 Independent It was like pulling teeth in the first half. I thought we were never going to score. See also: like, pull, teeth Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary like pulling ˈteeth very difficult: It was like pulling teeth to get the kids to work together. See also: like, pull, teeth Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary See also: pull teeth get (something) over with get it over with find (something) out the hard way make (something) seem like a picnic hard/tough sledding difficult times be like looking for a needle in a haystack be like trying to find a needle in a haystack from bad to worse References in periodicals archive Maintaining contemporary modern dance companies in Los Angeles and filling concert halls has been like pulling teeth. With numerous factors conspiring against the art form, it's no wonder dance has failed to establish roots. Stubborn Dance in L.A First of all, talking to insurance agents about MSA plans available in my area was like pulling teeth. Part of the problem is that most independent insurance agents who sell health coverage to firms like mine make their money by taking a commission on the first year of premiums. Health nuts: how Congress kept me from giving my employees Medical Savings Accounts
随便看	three score and ten three sheets three sheets in the wind three sheets in/to the wind three sheets to the wind three skips of a louse three squares three squares a day three squares (a day) three strikes against someone three strikes and (one's) out Three strikes and you are out three strikes and you're out three-strike(s) law three-strike(s) rule three-two threshold thresh out threw thrill thrill at thrill at (something) thrilled to bits thrilled to death thrilled to pieces