an awkward customer

an awkward customer

A troublesome person. I don't want Joe to join the club, he's just such an awkward customer.
See also: awkward, customer
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • customer
  • backassed
  • in the lurch
  • on
  • a tough spot
  • a tight corner
  • be like a spare prick at a wedding
  • a spare prick at a wedding
  • be left in the lurch
  • be here for (something)
References in periodicals archive
Galahad is an awkward customer, hard to catch clean.
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Finding life difficult against Stepanek, a former top-10 player known as an awkward customer, was one thing but this was quite another.
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He said that Snowden's offender manager had described him as "a little bit of an awkward customer".
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Anderson, who joined countrymen Peter Wright and Robert Thornton in the next stage, knows his game will have to improve if he is to live up to the billing of potential champion although he is unlikely to face such an awkward customer again.
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A striker of grace and beauty, the big man is most definitely not, but he can be an awkward customer, sometimes even for the opponents.
Blues need home help after defeat
His unorthodox style, throwing punches from different angles, makes him an awkward customer and he has age on his side being almost five years younger than Lindsay.
Selby set to make class count in Belfast defence; Fight Scene Wales Kevin Hayde - the promoter with a punch sport@walesonline.co.uk
Heller was an awkward customer but thought more quickly than most.
A near perfect week for this card player
After hearing evidence for six days (six days!), the tribunal panel decided she'd merely patted Greek-born Mr Kalomoiris on the back to reassure him while he dealt A WIDOW a claim her husband's human rights breached - with an awkward customer.
Free for a grope? Sex claim fiasco like Are You Being Served
He was such an awkward customer and terrorised defences.
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Simon, though, showed in his victory against Federer that he could be an awkward customer and a change in tactics shifted the balance of the match.
Murray powers through to semi
Poland, for instance, already difficult in negotiations to reach a binding target, will certainly prove an awkward customer for the Commission.
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He is an awkward customer to deal with as you have to take him out early on to the track."
Horse Racing: Notnowcato delivers
'He can come over as an awkward customer but what I admire about Steve is his stubbornness.
Wales can reap the rewards of Hansen's stubborn streak; Former All Black captain believes dragons could be World Cup surprise package
Wayne Rooney is made for derby heroics and will be a week nearer the full fitness that makes him such an awkward customer.
Len Capeling's Column: Harry's game still not clear; Now's time for Houllier to employ Kewell in right place
The Everton manager arrived at Goodison from Preston last year with a reputation as something of an awkward customer when it came to dealing with members of Her Majesty's press.
Football: OffSIDE: DAVID MOYES