Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

thorn in someone's side

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.42 in modern English

Syllables: thorn in -some-one's -side
IPA

25

Scrabble Score

19

Letters

4

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A persistent annoyance.

Example Sentences

"Wait. Let this moment be remembered. For on this day, we three -- Kor, Dahar Master of the Klingons, Jadzia Dax, a joined Trill of seven lives, and Worf, son of Mogh and thorn in Gowron's side -- together stepped forth into the eye of destiny."
"All the billions in the world and Manchester City still cannot rid themselves of the most persistent thorn in their side."
"Up until now, Torres has been best known through their trenchant pieces for magazines such as Salon, aeon and Foreign Policy as a thorn in the side of the longtermist movement."
"The sculpture’s spotlight on Trump’s past relationship with the convicted sex trafficker underscores what has been a particularly persistent thorn in the president’s side, and has caused fissures in the Trump’s typically united Maga base."

Inflected Forms

thorns in someone's side (plural)

Phrases

bone in the throat chip on one's shoulder

Frequently Paired Words

bone in the throat chip on one's shoulder

Synonyms

thorn in the flesh

Questions

What does thorn in someone's side mean?: A persistent annoyance.

How to pronounce thorn in someone's side

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