constant headache

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constant headache" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a persistent problem or annoyance. Example: "The ongoing project has become a constant headache for the team." Alternative expressions include "persistent annoyance" and "ongoing trouble."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A constant headache - stress, not my shirt.

The Guardian

What's that constant headache pain in the temples?

Harvard University

Simonsen said he had a constant headache and his sense of smell had gone.

The Guardian - Sport

Some ingenious solutions have been devised (see below), but low battery power remains a constant headache.

The Guardian - Tech

But the inquiry has been an almost constant headache for Mrs May.

Independent

"CHURNING" is a constant headache for the companies that provide Internet access.

The Economist

He said he had a constant headache for the first month.

The New York Times - Sports

Flight delays are a constant headache for business travelers, who are the airlines' most lucrative source of revenue.

The New York Times

"I'm ill, swollen glands in my neck and constant headache for three days now and freezing cold.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Gates, Mr. Roberts recalled, was "a very bright kid, but he was a constant headache at MITS".

The New York Times

Student recruitment is another constant headache; Beer describes hitting the university's recruitment targets as landing on a sixpence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In medical or scientific contexts, ensure you distinguish between 'constant' (uninterrupted) and 'frequent' (happening often) to maintain clinical accuracy.

Common error

Do not use 'always' or 'continually' alongside "constant headache" (e.g., 'it was an always constant headache'). The adjective 'constant' already implies a lack of interruption, so adding more frequency adverbs creates wordiness.

Linguistic Context

As a noun phrase, "constant headache" typically functions as a direct object or a subject complement. According to Ludwig, it is used to quantify the duration of a sensation or the frequency of a problematic event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "constant headache" is a versatile and grammatically robust expression that bridges the gap between literal medical reporting and figurative social commentary. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist. While it effectively describes a physical symptom, its figurative application to describe persistent logistical or personal problems is equally prevalent. Writers should feel confident using it to convey a sense of ongoing frustration, provided they avoid redundant modifiers like 'always'. Overall, it remains a high-utility phrase for both everyday and professional English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persistent headache

Focuses more on the endurance of the pain over a period of time

chronic pain

A more formal and clinical term for long-term physical suffering

incessant ache

Uses more evocative language to describe the physical sensation

continuous migraine

Specifically refers to a more severe and clinical type of head pain

ongoing nuisance

Shifts the meaning entirely to the figurative sense of an annoyance

non-stop problem

A more informal way to describe a continuous difficulty

unending trouble

Focuses on the repetitive nature of administrative or logistical problems

recurring issue

Suggests a problem that appears frequently rather than being uninterrupted

perpetual struggle

Emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved in managing a situation

steady affliction

A formal or literary way to describe a long-term burden

FAQs

How do I use "constant headache" in a sentence?

You can use it literally for health as in 'he complained of a "constant headache" since the accident' or figuratively for problems like 'traffic is a "constant headache" for commuters'.

What is a more formal alternative to "constant headache"?

Depending on the context, you might use "chronic affliction" for medical issues or "persistent challenge" for professional problems.

Is "constant headache" or "persistent headache" more common?

Both are common, but "persistent headache" is often preferred in formal medical literature, while "constant headache" is used more broadly in news and fiction.

Can "constant headache" refer to a person?

Yes, in informal contexts, you can say 'that client is a "constant headache"' to imply they are a "source of frustration".