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
Massie has repeatedly broken with Trump over spending and been a thorn in the side of GOP leaders.
—
Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 22 July 2025
Presidents of both parties complained about judges blocking policies nationwide
Nationwide injunctions have been a thorn in the side of presidential administrations of both parties.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for a thorn in the/someone's flesh/side
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Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 22 July 2025
Presidents of both parties complained about judges blocking policies nationwide
Nationwide injunctions have been a thorn in the side of presidential administrations of both parties.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 July 2025
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
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 7 Aug. 2025.
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