pesky situation

USAGE SUMMARY

"pesky situation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or annoying situation. Example: The teacher was faced with a pesky situation when several students refused to complete their assignments.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The khaleesi on Game of Thrones cleverly has live dragons perch on her shoulders when she finds herself in a pesky situation and wants to distract someone from killing her.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Well, once that pesky CEO situation is resolved.

TechCrunch

So now, even if you gloss over the pesky cancer situation, the calories in alcohol and there are plenty aren't the only thing making you fat.

Vice

Fallon then brought up the pesky email situation, wondering if Clinton wanted to keep her account under wraps because, like his mother, she writes her entire message in the subject line and was embarrassed for the world to find out.

Los Angeles Times

For example, the hero's sister, Nam-joo (Bae Doo-na), is a professional archer — always handy for those pesky dragonslaying situations that crop up so often these days.

The New Yorker

The Yankees want to see how he handles challenging situations -- pesky lineup, raucous ballpark, pennant-race intensity -- to evaluate his viability for postseason duty.

The New York Times

You can blame a reckless and feckless man for running out, but you can't blame anyone for the mechanics of the situation, not that pesky patriarchy, not even the Romans, it's just the way it is.

The Guardian - Opinion

This leaves the following four-card ending: Diagram With the lead in dummy, West's pesky spade seven is the key to the situation and South wins only 11 tricks.

The New York Times - Arts

It could blow up to hurricane strength and steer toward Tampa, or crumble over Cuba or lightly skirt Florida's west coast — the likeliest situation on Thursday — bringing nothing more than pesky rain and a puff of wind.

The New York Times

The Romney TV spot dispensed with all that pesky context.

The New York Times

PESKY immigrants.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pesky situation" when you want to downplay the severity of a problem while still acknowledging its annoyance.

Common error

While "pesky situation" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid it in highly formal or professional writing where a more serious tone is required. Opt for alternatives like "challenging issue" or "difficult predicament" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pesky situation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "pesky" modifies the noun "situation". It describes a specific instance or set of circumstances that are bothersome or irritating. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pesky situation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts. It serves to describe a mildly annoying or problematic scenario. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English and offers a way to downplay the seriousness of an issue while still acknowledging its inconvenience. When writing, be mindful of the context and avoid using it in highly formal situations where more serious language is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

annoying problem

Replaces "situation" with "problem", focusing on the troublesome aspect.

difficult predicament

Uses a more formal term, "predicament", to suggest a challenging circumstance.

troublesome issue

Substitutes "situation" with "issue", highlighting a point of contention or concern.

awkward circumstance

Emphasizes the uncomfortable or embarrassing nature of the situation.

irritating matter

Replaces "situation" with "matter", focusing on the annoyance it causes.

unpleasant state of affairs

A more formal and descriptive alternative to "pesky situation".

vexing dilemma

Highlights the perplexing and frustrating nature of the problem.

challenging scenario

Focuses on the demanding or testing aspects of the situation.

thorny issue

Emphasizes the complexity and difficulty of resolving the issue.

sticky wicket

An idiomatic expression implying a delicate or precarious situation.

FAQs

How can I use "pesky situation" in a sentence?

You can use "pesky situation" to describe something mildly annoying or problematic. For example, "Dealing with the "pesky situation" of a leaky faucet took all afternoon".

What can I say instead of "pesky situation"?

You can use alternatives like "annoying problem", "difficult predicament", or "troublesome issue" depending on the specific context.

Is "pesky situation" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "pesky situation" might be too informal for highly formal contexts. Consider using more serious alternatives like "challenging circumstance" or "complex issue".

What makes "pesky situation" different from "serious problem"?

"Pesky situation" implies a minor annoyance or inconvenience, while "serious problem" suggests a more significant and potentially impactful issue. The choice depends on the severity of the matter you're describing.