A thorn in one's flesh
Idioms & PhrasesMEDIUM
a continual source of annoyance or trouble
A thorn in one's flesh
Idioms & PhrasesMEDIUM
a continual source of annoyance or trouble
Learning Progress
Examples
"This recurring software bug is a thorn in my flesh — we can't get stable releases out."
"His constant complaints became a thorn in her flesh during the project."
Mnemonic Trick
Think of a small thorn that keeps pricking and hurting repeatedly.
Cultural Context
Biblical phrasing originally; used widely for persistent problems.
Source: Idioms & PhrasesAdded: 11/13/2025
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