# bane of someone's existence

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bane-of-someones-existence
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Someone or something that poses a significant problem to someone.

## Examples

- Slow internet is the bane of my existence.
- Doing my taxes every April has become the bane of my existence.
- The constant noise from the construction site across the street has become the bane of his existence, making it impossible to focus on his writing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.