# Chinese water torture

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/chinese-water-torture
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Any repeated irritation that builds to deliver cumulative damage.

## Examples

- The constant dripping sound is like Chinese water torture.
- Listening to my neighbor's loud music every single night feels like Chinese water torture.
- The relentless, repetitive nature of the bureaucratic process became a form of Chinese water torture that slowly eroded his resolve.

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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.