be a pain in the butt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be a pain in the butt" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that is annoying or troublesome. Example: "Dealing with all the paperwork can really be a pain in the butt sometimes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"He had a lot of friends, and he had what I want to call joyfulness, not that he couldn't be a pain in the butt sometimes".

The New Yorker

Sometimes they can be very friendly and pleasant to live with, then other time they can be a pain in the butt, most notably when they overrun the pubs and bars on weekends.

The Guardian

"To have to be there might well be a pain in the butt, but the more important point is that not to be there can be both costly and potentially embarrassing," says analyst Howard Wheeldon, who is about to attend his 23rd Farnborough.

BBC

Even though she can be a pain in the butt at times, you wouldn't trade her for the world.

Huffington Post

While this is a colorful metaphor, it clearly describes how we allow certain people we perceive to be a  pain in the butt to "get under our skin".

Huffington Post

As a new writer, you don't want to be a pain in the butt, so I checked in at six months and they told me it was in the queue".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

That is a pain-in-the-butt because you have to press the button twice before you get to pick the scene mode.

TechCrunch

It's a pain in the butt".

The New York Times - Arts

"The G.R.E. is a pain in the butt.

The New York Times

"They're a pain in the butt to prepare for," Hofstra Coach Tom Pecora said.

The New York Times - Sports

"According to some of the statements Maria made I was a pain in the butt.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation or task, this phrase works well to convey that it's more trouble than it's worth. For example, "Dealing with the insurance company was a real pain in the butt."

Common error

Avoid using "be a pain in the butt" in professional or academic writing. It's too informal and can undermine your credibility. Opt for alternatives like "be a nuisance" or "be problematic" in formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "be a pain in the butt" functions as a predicative expression, typically describing a person, thing, or situation that causes significant annoyance or trouble. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage for expressing frustration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

12%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be a pain in the butt" is an informal idiomatic phrase used to describe something or someone annoying or troublesome. Ludwig AI confirms that while grammatically correct, its use is best suited for casual contexts and should be avoided in formal writing. Alternatives like ""be a nuisance"" or ""be troublesome"" are more appropriate for professional or academic settings. The phrase is commonly found in news and media sources, highlighting its prevalence in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a nuisance

Focuses on the quality of causing trouble or annoyance.

be an annoyance

Highlights the feeling of irritation caused by something or someone.

be a hassle

Emphasizes the difficulty and inconvenience involved.

be a bother

Suggests a mild form of inconvenience or trouble.

be troublesome

Highlights the problematic nature of something or someone.

be irritating

Focuses on the quality of causing irritation or frustration.

be exasperating

Emphasizes the frustrating and annoying nature.

be a headache

Uses a metaphor to describe something causing stress and difficulty.

be a drag

Implies something is tedious and unpleasant.

be a trial

Suggests something tests one's patience and endurance.

FAQs

What does "be a pain in the butt" mean?

The phrase "be a pain in the butt" means to be annoying, troublesome, or difficult to deal with. It's an informal way to describe something or someone that causes irritation or inconvenience.

What can I say instead of "be a pain in the butt"?

You can use alternatives like "be a nuisance", "be an annoyance", or "be troublesome" depending on the context. These alternatives are suitable for more formal situations.

Is "be a pain in the butt" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "be a pain in the butt" is considered too informal for formal writing. In professional or academic contexts, it's better to use phrases like "be problematic" or "be challenging".

What's the difference between "be a pain in the butt" and "be a pain in the neck"?

While both phrases indicate annoyance, "be a pain in the butt" is generally considered slightly stronger and more vulgar than "be a pain in the neck". The choice depends on the level of formality and the audience.