# teething troubles

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/teething-troubles
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Problems that are to be expected with any new and untried product, system, or venture.

## Examples

- The new software has a few teething troubles.
- Our new office routine has some teething troubles.
- The electric bus service faces minor teething troubles.
- We expected some teething troubles when we launched the new website, but the team fixed them quickly.
- The new restaurant manager is still dealing with teething troubles like slow service and missing menu items during the first week.
- You should expect some teething troubles when you first install the smart home system in your apartment.
- Although the startup faced significant teething troubles during its initial rollout, the founders remained confident that the system would stabilize once the minor technical glitches were resolved.

## Origin

From teething, the eruption of milk teeth through the gums, and the associated physical discomfort occurring during early life. The term draws an analogy between the biological distress of an infant and the initial difficulties encountered at the beginning of a project or enterprise.

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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.