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Pain in the Neck

What Does "Pain in the Neck" Mean?

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"Pain in the neck" is an English idiom. It means "a troublesome or annoying person or thing."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "pain in the neck" used in a sentence:
  • Dealing with that customer was a real pain in the neck.
  • The constant noise from the construction site next door is a pain in the neck.
  • She can be a pain in the neck when she's in a bad mood.
meaning for pain in the neck

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Pain in the Neck" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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