θɔːrn ɪn jɔːr saɪd
Nature & Weather
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- A thorn stuck in your body
What does "thorn in your side" mean?
- A persistent source of annoyance
- Someone or something that causes ongoing problems
Examples
- That regulation has been a thorn in our side for years.
- He's been a thorn in management's side.
- The competitor is a constant thorn in their side.
Origin
Biblical (2 Corinthians 12:7) where Paul describes 'a thorn in the flesh.' Physical metaphor for ongoing irritation.
How to use it
Describes persistent problems. Often used in business and politics.
Similar expressions
nuisance
pest
irritant
bane
annoyance
Opposites
blessing
asset
help
Related idioms
- out of the blue
Unexpectedly; without warning
- beat around the bush
To avoid talking about the main point of a conversation
- every cloud has a silver lining
There is something positive in every negative situation
- go with the flow
To accept things as they are and adapt accordingly
- once in a blue moon
Very rarely; almost never
- tip of the iceberg
A small visible part of a much larger hidden problem
Use it in a practice answer
Try "thorn in your side" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.