a thorn in the/someone's flesh/side
idiom
: a person or thing that repeatedly annoys someone or something or causes problems
He's been a thorn in my side for years.
a thorn in the side of the industry
Examples of a thorn in the/someone's flesh/side in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
James Tolkan plays Gerald Strickland, who worked at Hill Valley High School and, in both 1955 and 1985, was a thorn in the side of the McFlys.
—
Jonathon Dornbush, EW.com, 3 July 2025
Evans' lawsuit, filed after Thanksgiving, has been a thorn in the side of Mayor Freddie O'Connell, who has made improving transit a cornerstone of his mayoral campaign and time in office.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The injunctions have been a thorn in the side of administrations from both parties, with aggrieved parties often filing in specific, favorable courts that would then issue nationwide stays on presidential orders.
—Peter Aitken
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
For nearly half a century, Iran has been a thorn in the side of the world, killing and maiming American soldiers, butchering Israeli citizens, threatening its neighbors and fostering terror around the world.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for a thorn in the/someone's flesh/side
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Jonathon Dornbush, EW.com, 3 July 2025
Evans' lawsuit, filed after Thanksgiving, has been a thorn in the side of Mayor Freddie O'Connell, who has made improving transit a cornerstone of his mayoral campaign and time in office.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The injunctions have been a thorn in the side of administrations from both parties, with aggrieved parties often filing in specific, favorable courts that would then issue nationwide stays on presidential orders.
—Peter Aitken
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
For nearly half a century, Iran has been a thorn in the side of the world, killing and maiming American soldiers, butchering Israeli citizens, threatening its neighbors and fostering terror around the world.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for a thorn in the/someone's flesh/side
Cite this Entry
“A thorn in the/someone's flesh/side.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20thorn%20in%20the%2Fsomeone%27s%20flesh%2Fside. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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