major headache

USAGE SUMMARY

"major headache" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, but it typically refers to a significant problem or inconvenience that causes frustration or difficulty. Example: "Dealing with all these paperwork has been a major headache for our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

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

City's form is the head coach's major headache, though.

The Guardian - Sport

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

The other major headache for the US in the Gulf region is the United Arab Emirates.

The Guardian

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

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major headache", consider the audience and context. While common, it may be too informal for highly formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "major headache" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "significant problem" or "considerable challenge" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major headache" functions as a noun phrase that describes something causing significant trouble or frustration. It often acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major headache" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase that describes something causing significant trouble or frustration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the register and audience, opting for more formal alternatives like "significant problem" in professional settings. Avoiding overuse and diversifying language with synonyms will enhance writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant problem

Emphasizes the importance and scale of the issue.

serious difficulty

Highlights the level of challenge and complexity involved.

considerable challenge

Focuses on the demanding nature of the situation.

major inconvenience

Underlines the disruption and trouble caused.

vexing issue

Suggests a cause of annoyance and irritation.

knotty problem

Implies a complex and intricate difficulty.

thorny issue

Highlights the sensitive and potentially contentious nature of the problem.

grave concern

Elevates the problem to a higher level of worry and apprehension.

real burden

Emphasizes the weight and strain caused by the problem.

source of frustration

Directly describes the feeling caused by the problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "major headache" to describe a situation, task, or issue that causes significant trouble or frustration. For example, "Dealing with the outdated software has been a major headache for the IT department."

What can I say instead of "major headache"?

You can use alternatives like "significant problem", "serious difficulty", or "considerable challenge" depending on the context.

Is "major headache" too informal for professional writing?

While "major headache" is widely understood, it can be perceived as informal. For professional writing, consider more formal alternatives like "significant problem" or "critical issue".

What's the difference between "major headache" and "minor inconvenience"?

"Major headache" describes a substantial problem causing considerable difficulty, while "minor inconvenience" refers to a small, easily manageable issue that causes slight disruption.