Causing Difficulty

a person or thing that annoys one very much

The customers love it, but the employees think the new system is a pain in the butt.

a person or thing that is very annoying or troublesome

My neighbor's loud parties every weekend are a real pain in the neck; I can never get a good night's sleep.

to start becoming a source of trouble or worry

The constant pranks from my coworkers were funny at first, but it has now gone beyond a joke.It's affecting my productivity and creating a hostile work environment.

to not let someone do something or to prevent something from getting done by causing problems

She had a job which never got in the way of her leisure interests.

a task that needs a great amount of time and effort to finish

Building a successful business is a long haul; it requires years of hard work and dedication.

something that prevents the progress or occurrence of something

Lack of funding has been a stumbling block for many startups trying to get off the ground.

to exhaust one mentally or physically in order to be done or achieved

Caring for a newborn baby can take it of new parents, with the constant sleep deprivation and demands.

the final and decisive event or action that pushes someone beyond their tolerance or patience, leading to a significant reaction or decision

After months of dealing with her roommate's constant messiness, the dirty dishes left in the sink were the final straw, and she decided to move out.

used to refer to a task or activity that is completely pointless and illogical

Spending hours trying to convince him to change his opinion is like kicking dead whales down the beach.

a collection of problems that are caused by something

Many more businesses are feeling the chill wind of the recession.

a problem that becomes more difficult to deal with the more one tries to solve it

The politician found himself entangled in a tar baby of scandals and controversies, making it challenging for him to restore his reputation.

to be overwhelmed or completely absorbed by a specific thing, experience, or emotion

I need one of those interns to help me file today because I'm totally drowning in paperwork.