Pain is a universal experience, and idioms are a powerful way to express it. These idiomatic expressions convey the intensity, type, and nature of pain in vivid and relatable terms. Here are 20 idioms that describe pain, complete with their meanings and example sentences.
1. A Pain in the Neck
Meaning: Annoying trouble
Example: This project is a real pain in the neck.
2. A Thorn in One’s Side
Meaning: Persistent annoyance
Example: He’s been a thorn in my side for years.
3. Agony of Defeat
Meaning: Intense disappointment
Example: The team felt the agony of defeat.
4. Bundle of Nerves
Meaning: Very nervous
Example: She’s a bundle of nerves before exams.
5. Dull Ache
Meaning: Persistent, mild pain
Example: I have a dull ache in my back.
6. Feel the Pinch
Meaning: Financial pain
Example: We’re starting to feel the pinch of inflation.
7. Hit a Nerve
Meaning: Provoke a strong reaction
Example: Her comment really hit a nerve with him.
8. Hurt Like Hell
Meaning: Extremely painful
Example: My leg hurts like hell after the fall.
9. In a World of Pain
Meaning: Severe suffering
Example: After the surgery, he was in a world of pain.
10. Itchy Feet
Meaning: Desire to travel
Example: I’ve got itchy feet after two years here.
11. Pain in the Butt
Meaning: Very annoying
Example: That task was a pain in the butt.
12. Pins and Needles
Meaning: Tingling sensation
Example: My foot’s gone to pins and needles.
13. Sharp Pain
Meaning: Intense, sudden pain
Example: I felt a sharp pain in my knee.
14. Suffer in Silence
Meaning: Hide one’s pain
Example: She chose to suffer in silence after the breakup.
15. Take a Beating
Meaning: Endure severe loss
Example: His ego took a beating after the critique.
16. Twist the Knife
Meaning: Make things worse
Example: She twisted the knife with her harsh words.
17. Walking on Air
Meaning: Very happy
Example: He was walking on air after the promotion.
18. Walking on Broken Glass
Meaning: Very uncomfortable
Example: Their relationship feels like walking on broken glass.
19. Wince with Pain
Meaning: Flinch from pain
Example: He winced with pain at the injection.
20. World of Hurt
Meaning: Great suffering
Example: He’s in a world of hurt after the accident.
