like pulling teeth

phrase

—used to say that something is very difficult and frustrating

Getting him to make a decision is like pulling teeth.

Examples of like pulling teeth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Even though speaking to politicians feels like pulling teeth sometimes, Mahan compares favorably to many of our other candidates in the style and substance of his answers. — Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026

Le told the judge that trying to get ICE to comply with court orders was like pulling teeth. — Maddy Varner, Wired News, 11 Feb. 2026

Getting information out of the Healey administration that the public is entitled to is like pulling teeth. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 2 Feb. 2026

And after six years together, your family gatherings shouldn’t feel like pulling teeth for him. — Anna Pulley, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025

Make Some Artwork If writing feels like pulling teeth today, switch gears and make something visual. — Peter Boyd, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

By understanding these innovations, dental practices and other organizations alike can work toward creating a smoother, less stressful journey—so that scheduling a dentist appointment no longer feels like pulling teeth. — Frank Fawzi, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Once upon a not-so-distant time, getting Yanks to watch soccer was like pulling teeth—although admittedly the networks that first experimented with international football were out of their element. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 June 2024

Before then, Aveni recalled, getting Buckley to say anything positive about her voice was like pulling teeth. — Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2024

Rhymes for like pulling teeth

• beneath
• bequeath
• sheath
• wreath
• underneath