Search
Select the dictionary language
bane of one's life
01
a person or thing that brings one misfortune or unhappiness
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "bane of one's life" and when to use it?
The idiom "bane of one's life" has its roots in Old English, where "bane" referred to a cause of ruin or destruction. The word "bane" is associated with something that brings harm, distress, or trouble. The phrase is used to impliy that a specific person, thing, or situation is a constant source of frustration, annoyance, or difficulty, making one's life or existence more challenging or unpleasant.
Examples
Mosquitoes are the bane of my existence every summer.
