"to be a pain in the neck" / "to be a pain in my neck"

Meaning: someone or something that is very annoying; something that is a hassle to do

Similar Expressions

• This task is a pain in the neck.
• This task is a pain in my butt.
• This task is annoying.
• This task is annoying and hard.
• This task is a hassle.
• I hate doing this task.

When do we use it?

We use this to describe a person who annoys us.

• Mark is a pain in the neck.
• Sally asks too many questions. She is a pain in the neck.

We can also use it to describe a thing, job, or task that is annoying. This is usually something that is boring, hard, or annoying to do.

• Going to the post office is a pain in the neck.
• Cleaning the bathroom is a pain in the neck.
• Proofreading a long paper is a pain in my neck.

How do we use it?

"A pain in the neck" is a noun, so we can use it any way that we other nouns. Typically, we use this expression after a "be verb". We can use "a pain in the neck" or "a pain in my neck".

• He is such a pain in the neck.
• Don't be a pain in my neck.

Example English Conversations

A) I hate writing contracts. It is such a pain in the neck.
B) It is annoying and takes a long time, but it is very important.

A) Mary keeps postponing our meeting and making excuses not to meet me.
B) She does that a lot. Working with her can be a pain in the neck.

Adding expressions and idioms to your vocabulary will help you become a better English speaker. You do not need to learn a million expressions or idioms at one time! If you study new English expressions and idioms steadily and consistently, then your vocabulary will get better and better. Use these free English lessons to expand your vocabulary and learn useful English idioms, slang, and expressions.