pain in the arse
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pain in the arse
An especially irritating, aggravating, or obnoxious person, thing, or situation. Primarily heard in UK. You know, Jack, you may be my friend, but you can be a real pain in the arse sometimes! This calculus homework is a real pain in the arse. It's not that I don't understand it, it's just so tedious!
See also: arse, pain
pain-in-the-arse
(used before a noun) Very irritating, aggravating, or obnoxious. Primarily heard in UK. I've still got a few pain-in-the-arse jobs to do around the farm before I can call it quits for the day. We're having Mary over for dinner tomorrow night. I just hope her pain-in-the-arse husband doesn't come along as well.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
a pain in the arse
BRITISH, INFORMAL, VERY RUDE ora pain in the ass
AMERICAN, INFORMAL, VERY RUDECOMMON If someone or something is a pain in the arse, they are very annoying. These people were an almighty pain in the arse to deal with. Note: The words bum and backside can be used instead of arse and the word butt can be used instead of ass. When I was bored, I was a pain in the bum. All this airport security's a pain in the butt. Note: `Arse', `ass', `backside', `bum' and `butt' are all informal words for `bottom'.
See also: arse, pain
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- pain-in-the-butt
- pain-in-the-neck
- pain in the butt
- pain in the neck, a
- a pain in the neck