What does "hassle" mean?

1. (an annoyance or inconvenience) a situation that is annoying because it involves too many problems or too much effort. 2. (an argument) a small fight or a loud argument with someone. 3. (to bother someone) to annoy someone by asking them to do something many times. 4. (mock dogfight) to practice air combat by chasing another plane in a fake fight.

How do you use "hassle"?

Often used with 'too much' or 'a bit of a'. Usually takes a direct object representing the person being bothered.

hassle

n. · v.

US //ˈhæsəɫ// UK //hˈæsəl// has·sle

1 an annoyance or inconvenience (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

a situation that is annoying because it involves too many problems or too much effort.

a situation causing inconvenience or annoyance, often involving tedious tasks or bureaucratic obstacles.

Example

It was such a hassle to get my visa renewed that I almost cancelled the trip.

Example

The administrative hassle of moving to a new country often outweighs the initial excitement of the professional opportunity.

Usage

Often used with 'too much' or 'a bit of a'.
- convenience
- breeze
2 an argument (n.)
C1 Advanced Informal British English

a small fight or a loud argument with someone.

a heated argument or physical altercation, typically of a minor or repetitive nature.

Example

I don't want any hassle from the neighbours about the noise.

Example

The security guards were trained to de-escalate any potential hassle before it turned into a full-scale confrontation.
- agreement
- peace

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3 to bother someone (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

to annoy someone by asking them to do something many times.

to harass or pester someone continually, often with requests or demands.

Example

My boss keeps hassling me about the report even though the deadline is next week.

Example

Debt collectors began to hassle him with daily phone calls, despite his attempts to negotiate a payment plan.

Usage

Usually takes a direct object representing the person being bothered.
- pester
- badger
- harass
- leave alone
- soothe
4 mock dogfight (v.)
C2 Proficiency Slang Technical Sport

to practice air combat by chasing another plane in a fake fight.

to engage in a simulated aerial dogfight for training purposes.

Example

The pilots spent the afternoon hassling over the desert to improve their skills.

Example

During the advanced tactical phase, trainees are required to hassle with experienced instructors to master high-G defensive manoeuvres.

Teacher's tip

This sense is highly specific to military aviation and rarely understood by the general public.
- dogfight

Origin

Unknown. Probably from US Southern dialectal hassle (“to pant, breathe noisily”), possibly from haste + -le (frequentative suffix).