Home US English a thorn in someone's side

Definition of a thorn in someone's side in English:

a thorn in someone's side

phrase

(also a thorn in someone's flesh)

  • A source of continual annoyance or trouble.

    ‘the pastor has long been a thorn in the side of the regime’
    • ‘We will continue to be a thorn in his side, keeping a close eye on him and interfering with his criminal activities.’
    • ‘A committed republican, he continued to be a thorn in Cromwell 's side, being elected to the protector's parliaments of 1654 and 1656, but prevented from taking his seat.’
    • ‘His uncompromising attitude continually made him a thorn in the Establishment 's side.’
    • ‘He's still there of course, and will no doubt continue to be a thorn in our side, but the main danger now seems to be past.’
    • ‘A feisty nuisance of a forward, he was a thorn in their side throughout.’
    • ‘I was a thorn in their side because I wouldn't go along with what they wanted to do.’
    • ‘I'm going to be a thorn in their side until they deliver the school places, until they deliver the public transport, until they deliver the parks and the playgrounds.’
    • ‘Neighbours consider him a kind person who is ready to help others, while criminals see him as a thorn in their side.’
    • ‘Has there been a government in the last thirty years which hasn't regarded the our journalists as a thorn in its side?’
    • ‘We will continue to fight, to be there as a thorn in their side.’
    annoyance, irritant, irritation, source of irritation, source of vexation, source of annoyance, pinprick, pest, bother, trial, torment, plague, inconvenience, nuisance, menace