جستجو
thorn in one's side
01
مشکلساز
a person or thing that is problematic and hard to deal with
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "a thorn in one's side" and when to use it?
The phrase "thorn in one's side" originates from the Bible in the New Testament, specifically the letters of Paul. In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul mentions having a "thorn in the flesh" that was given to him as a means of keeping him humble. The exact nature of Paul's thorn is not specified in the biblical text, leaving room for interpretation. However, it is commonly understood as a metaphorical representation of a chronic difficulty or adversity he faced. Over time, the phrase has evolved and is now used more generally to describe any ongoing source of irritation, annoyance, or trouble that is difficult to resolve or remove.
Example
That noisy neighbor has been a thorn in my side for years, always playing loud music late at night.
The malfunctioning air conditioning system is a real thorn in the flesh of this office building, causing frequent discomfort for the employees.
