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Reference : Idioms : P : a pain in the neck

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a pain in the neck Informal

Meaning: You can say someone is a pain in the neck if they annoy you, or something is a pain in the neck if you don't like doing it.

For example:

  • Lenny's being a pain in the neck today. He keeps interrupting me while I'm trying to work.

  • It's a real pain in the neck when you're trying to get some sleep on the train and people keep shouting into their mobile phones all around you.

Quick Quiz:

Mark's being a pain in the neck this morning, so
  1. I'll try to avoid him
  2. I'll help him with his work
  3. I'll give him a massage

Discuss: a pain in the neck

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