Slang

pain | pain in the arse | pain in the backside

This page is about the slang term pain | pain in the arse | pain in the backside

British and Australian English

Meaning

someone or something that's annoying or troublesome

For example

  • Pete's new girlfriend is a real pain. She's got this annoying voice, and she never stops talking.

  • These staff meetings are such a pain in the backside. I don't even know why we have to come.

Variety

This is typically used in British and Australian English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz

Our new boss is a real pain in the arse. Everybody thinks he's

a. easily hurt

b. like a dictator

c. got a painful illness
a) easily hurt b) like a dictator c) got a painful illness
pain | pain in the arse | pain in the backside

See Slang of the Day today

Contributor: Matt Errey