# pull teeth

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/pull-teeth
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To do something that is especially difficult or effortful.

## Examples

- Getting him to talk about his day is like pulling teeth.
- Trying to get the team to agree on a new schedule was like pulling teeth.
- Extracting a clear answer from the reluctant witness felt like pulling teeth, as he carefully avoided every direct question I asked.

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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.