Dictionary

thorn in someone's side en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) A persistent annoyance.
   • All the billions in the world and Manchester City still cannot rid themselves of the most persistent thorn in their side. 2014 March 9, Jacob Steinberg, “Wigan shock Manchester City in FA Cup again to reach semi-finals”, in The Guardian:
   • Up until now, Torres has been best known through their trenchant pieces for magazines such as Salon, aeon and Foreign Policy as a thorn in the side of the longtermist movement. 2023 July 22, Andrew Anthony, “The pro-extinctionist philosopher who has sparked a battle over humanity’s future”, in The Observer, →ISSN:
   • The sculpture’s spotlight on Trump’s past relationship with the convicted sex trafficker underscores what has been a particularly persistent thorn in the president’s side, and has caused fissures in the Trump’s typically united Maga base. 2025 September 24, Cy Neff, “New statue on National Mall celebrates ‘long-lasting bond’ between Trump and Epstein”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
   • Wait. Let this moment be remembered. For on this day, we three -- Kor, Dahar Master of the Klingons, Jadzia Dax, a joined Trill of seven lives, and Worf, son of Mogh and thorn in Gowron's side -- together stepped forth into the eye of destiny. 1995, “The Sword of Kahless”, in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, season 4, episode 8 (Science Fiction), spoken by Kor, →OCLC:

Forms

Relateds

chip on one's shoulder · bone in the throat

Synonyms

thorn in the flesh

Translations (23)

vi cái gai trong mắt (thorn in someone's side) · fi piikki lihassa (thorn in someone's side) · fr épine dans le pied (thorn in someone's side) · pl sól w oku (thorn in someone's side) · nl luis in de pels (thorn in someone's side) · th หนามยอกอก (thorn in someone's side) · id duri dalam daging (thorn in someone's side) · pt pedra no sapato (de alguém) (thorn in someone's side) · es piedra en el zapato (thorn in someone's side) · it spina nel fianco (thorn in someone's side) · cs trn v oku (thorn in someone's side) · ru кость в го́рле (thorn in someone's side) · ga bior sa bheo (thorn in someone's side) · hu szálka a szemében (thorn in someone's side) · ro sula în coaste (thorn in someone's side) · ga tairne sa bheo (thorn in someone's side) · nl een doorn in oog (iemands) (thorn in someone's side) · sv en nagel i ögat (på någon) (thorn in someone's side) · de Dorn im Auge (thorn in someone's side) · fr avoir un caillou dans sa chaussure (thorn in someone's side) · is þyrnir í augum (thorn in someone's side) · fr épine au pied (thorn in someone's side) · ru бельмо́ на глазу́ (thorn in someone's side)