a major headache

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major headache" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant problem or source of stress in various contexts, such as work, personal life, or projects. Example: "The unexpected delays in the project timeline have become a major headache for the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The row is a major headache for Apple.

The Guardian - Tech

Caring for older relatives is a major headache.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it has left the coach with a major headache.

The Guardian - Sport

When that happens, you have a major headache.

The Guardian - Sport

And now he has created a major headache for baseball.

The New York Times - Sports

For businesses operating transparently, the Volkswagen revelations are a major headache.

The Guardian

But the lack of basic facilities there is proving to be a major headache.

The Guardian

For many enterprises, the logjam of unpaid claims has become a major headache.

The New York Times

"It's a major headache, and it makes people more reluctant to start their next company".

The Guardian - Business

It became a minor news story – and a major headache for Cheadle.

The Guardian - Film

Eliminating these zombie drones has become a major headache for providers of high-speed Internet service.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a major headache", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is causing the problem. For example, "The new software integration has become a major headache for the IT department."

Common error

Avoid using "a major headache" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations that cause significant disruption or require substantial effort to resolve.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major headache" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a situation, task, or issue that is causing significant trouble or difficulty, as shown by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a major headache" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant problem or source of frustration. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, with a neutral to slightly informal tone. When using this phrase, ensure that the context is clear and that the issue genuinely warrants such a description. While "a major headache" is suitable for many situations, consider alternatives like "a serious problem" or "a significant challenge" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious problem

Replaces "headache" with a more general term for an issue, maintaining the sense of severity.

a significant challenge

Substitutes "headache" with "challenge", framing the issue as something to be overcome, though still difficult.

a tough issue

Uses "tough issue" instead of "major headache", keeping the sense of a difficult problem.

a considerable difficulty

Emphasizes the substantial nature of the problem, similar to "major" in the original phrase.

a vexing matter

Replaces "headache" with "vexing matter", indicating something that causes annoyance and frustration.

a persistent nuisance

Focuses on the ongoing and bothersome nature of the issue, akin to a recurring headache.

a source of great concern

Highlights the worry and anxiety caused by the problem, shifting the focus to the emotional impact.

a real burden

Presents the problem as a heavy load or responsibility, emphasizing the negative impact.

a major inconvenience

Downplays the severity slightly by using "inconvenience", but retains the sense of disruption.

a thorny situation

Uses a metaphor to describe the problem as complex and difficult to handle, like dealing with thorns.

FAQs

What does "a major headache" mean?

The phrase "a major headache" refers to a significant problem, difficulty, or source of frustration. It implies that the issue is causing considerable trouble and requires effort to resolve.

How can I use "a major headache" in a sentence?

You can use "a major headache" to describe a problem causing significant trouble. For instance, "Dealing with the outdated system is "a major headache" for our team."

What are some alternatives to saying "a major headache"?

Alternatives to "a major headache" include phrases like "a serious problem", "a significant challenge", or "a tough issue", which convey a similar sense of difficulty and frustration.

Is "a major headache" formal or informal?

"A major headache" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal expression. While understandable in most contexts, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "a significant issue" or "a considerable difficulty".