# pain in the ass

idiom · Vulgar

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/pain-in-the-ass
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Something or someone that causes discomfort, frustration, or annoyance.

## Examples

- This broken printer is a real pain in the ass.
- Filling out these complicated tax forms every year is a total pain in the ass.
- Dealing with the constant bureaucratic delays proved to be a significant pain in the ass for the project manager.

## Origin

The expression emerged in the early to mid-20th century, dysphemistically modelled after the more polite *pain in the neck*. It replaces the cervical discomfort of the original with a lower anatomical focus, though the underlying sentiment remains one of persistent inconvenience.

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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.