Language is more than just words—it is full of expressions that carry emotions, experiences, and cultural meanings. One of the most fascinating parts of English is its idioms. Idioms are phrases
whose meanings are not always clear from the individual words, but instead carry a figurative or symbolic meaning. They add color, depth, and creativity to communication.
When it comes to expressing discomfort or suffering, idioms for pain play an important role. Pain is a universal human experience—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—and English has developed countless phrases to describe it in memorable ways.
Learning idioms for pain not only helps English learners sound more natural but also makes communication richer, whether in daily conversations, storytelling, or even professional settings.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most commonly used idioms for pain, grouped into themes for easy understanding. You’ll find their meanings, examples, similar idioms, and notes on how they’re used in real life.
Did You Know?
The phrase “pain in the neck” was first recorded in the early 20th century as a polite way of replacing stronger expressions like “pain in the butt.” Over time, it became one of the most popular idioms to describe annoyances—showing how language often finds creative substitutes for harsher words!
Idioms for Physical Pain
Pain in the Neck
Meaning: Something or someone very annoying.
Example: “Filling out endless paperwork is such a pain in the neck.”
Similar Idiom: Pain in the butt.
Note: Common in casual conversations.
Splitting Headache
Meaning: A very severe headache.
Example: “After the loud concert, I had a splitting headache.”
Similar Idiom: Pounding headache.
Note: Mostly used for physical discomfort in everyday talk.
Shooting Pain
Meaning: Sudden, sharp pain that comes quickly.
Example: “I felt a shooting pain in my leg while running.”
Similar Idiom: Sharp pain.
Note: Used in medical or daily contexts.
Throbbing Pain
Meaning: Pain that feels like it is beating or pulsing.
Example: “Her ankle had a throbbing pain after the fall.”
Similar Idiom: Pounding pain.
Note: Both medical and casual use.
Pain in the Back
Meaning: Someone or something that is very bothersome.
Example: “My boss can be a real pain in the back sometimes.”
Similar Idiom: Thorn in the side.
Note: Informal, slightly softer alternative to harsher idioms.
Hurt Like Hell
Meaning: Extremely painful.
Example: “When I twisted my wrist, it hurt like hell.”
Similar Idiom: Hurt badly.
Note: Very informal, often emotional.
Racked with Pain
Meaning: To suffer from strong physical pain.
Example: “The soldier was racked with pain after the injury.”
Similar Idiom: Consumed by pain.
Note: More literary, dramatic usage.
On Pins and Needles
Meaning: Feeling tingling discomfort or nervous anticipation.
Example: “After sitting too long, my foot was on pins and needles.”
Similar Idiom: Numb with discomfort.
Note: Used for both physical and emotional states.
Idioms for Emotional Pain
Broken-Hearted
Meaning: Deep emotional sadness, usually from love.
Example: “She was broken-hearted after the breakup.”
Similar Idiom: Heartbroken.
Note: Very common in both literature and casual speech.
Cut to the Quick
Meaning: Deeply hurt emotionally.
Example: “His harsh words cut me to the quick.”
Similar Idiom: Wounded deeply.
Note: Slightly formal, poetic.
Stab in the Back
Meaning: Betrayal by someone trusted.
Example: “Losing the deal because of my partner felt like a stab in the back.”
Similar Idiom: Backstab.
Note: Common in personal and professional contexts.
Heavy Heart
Meaning: Feeling deep sadness.
Example: “He left his hometown with a heavy heart.”
Similar Idiom: Heart weighs a ton.
Note: Poetic, emotional usage.
Cry One’s Eyes Out
Meaning: To cry a lot due to pain or sadness.
Example: “She cried her eyes out after hearing the bad news.”
Similar Idiom: Cry rivers.
Note: Common in everyday conversations.
Painful Memories
Meaning: Memories that bring sadness.
Example: “He avoids talking about his painful memories of the war.”
Similar Idiom: Haunting memories.
Note: Used in reflective or sensitive discussions.
Hurt to the Core
Meaning: Extremely hurt emotionally.
Example: “Her betrayal hurt me to the core.”
Similar Idiom: Deeply wounded.
Note: Emotional and dramatic in tone.
Torn Apart
Meaning: To feel emotionally broken.
Example: “She was torn apart after losing her child.”
Similar Idiom: Devastated.
Note: Very emotional, used in storytelling.
Idioms for Annoyance and Discomfort
Pain in the Butt
Meaning: Something extremely irritating.
Example: “The traffic jam was a pain in the butt.”
Similar Idiom: Pain in the neck.
Note: Informal, slightly rude.
Thorn in the Side
Meaning: Constant irritation or trouble.
Example: “The rival team has been a thorn in our side.”
Similar Idiom: Pain in the neck.
Note: Formal and metaphorical.
Get on My Nerves
Meaning: To annoy or irritate someone.
Example: “The loud noise is getting on my nerves.”
Similar Idiom: Drive me crazy.
Note: Casual and widely used.
Rub Salt in the Wound
Meaning: To make someone’s pain worse.
Example: “Bragging about his success just rubbed salt in the wound.”
Similar Idiom: Twist the knife.
Note: Used both for emotional and situational pain.
Drive Someone Up the Wall
Meaning: To irritate or annoy greatly.
Example: “Her constant humming drives me up the wall.”
Similar Idiom: Push my buttons.
Note: Informal, everyday speech.
Kick in the Teeth
Meaning: A big disappointment or setback.
Example: “Losing the promotion was a real kick in the teeth.”
Similar Idiom: Slap in the face.
Note: Common in both personal and work life.
Stick in One’s Craw
Meaning: Something that is hard to accept.
Example: “His unfair treatment still sticks in my craw.”
Similar Idiom: Hard to swallow.
Note: Less common but expressive.
Make Your Blood Boil
Meaning: To make someone very angry.
Example: “Corruption makes my blood boil.”
Similar Idiom: Drive me mad.
Note: Informal, emotional.
Idioms for Long-Lasting or Lingering Pain
Agony of Defeat
Meaning: Deep pain from failure.
Example: “The team felt the agony of defeat after the final match.”
Similar Idiom: Bitter loss.
Note: Sports and competition contexts.
Living in Pain
Meaning: Experiencing ongoing suffering.
Example: “He has been living in pain since the accident.”
Similar Idiom: Constant suffering.
Note: Literal and metaphorical.
Painful Lesson
Meaning: A difficult experience that teaches something.
Example: “Losing money taught me a painful lesson.”
Similar Idiom: Hard-earned wisdom.
Note: Used in professional or personal growth.
Carry the Pain
Meaning: To keep suffering from a past experience.
Example: “She carried the pain of her childhood into adulthood.”
Similar Idiom: Bear the burden.
Note: Often emotional or reflective.
Hurt Over Time
Meaning: To feel pain long after an event.
Example: “The breakup hurt over time more than I expected.”
Similar Idiom: Lingering hurt.
Note: Emotional use.
Salt in Old Wounds
Meaning: To reopen past pain.
Example: “Mentioning his failure was like putting salt in old wounds.”
Similar Idiom: Reopen old scars.
Note: Reflective or dramatic tone.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
Idioms for pain can be used in many situations:
- In speaking: Use them in casual conversations to sound more fluent and expressive. For example, instead of saying “It was very annoying,” say “It was a pain in the neck.”
- In writing: Idioms can make your essays, blogs, or stories more engaging. They create vivid imagery that connects with readers emotionally.
- In professional settings: Some idioms, like “kick in the teeth” or “painful lesson,” are appropriate in business discussions when describing challenges.
The key is to choose idioms that match the tone of the situation—formal, informal, emotional, or professional.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Literal vs Figurative Meaning
❌ Wrong: “I have a pain in my neck” (when you mean someone is annoying).
✔ Correct: “My boss is a real pain in the neck.” - Mixing Idioms Incorrectly
❌ Wrong: “He rubbed salt in my back.”
✔ Correct: “He rubbed salt in the wound.” - Overusing Idioms
Learners sometimes add idioms in every sentence. The result sounds unnatural. Use them occasionally to enrich speech, not overwhelm it.
FAQs
1. What does “pain in the neck” mean?
It means something or someone that is very annoying. It is not about real physical pain.
2. Are idioms for pain always negative?
Mostly yes, but some can be used humorously or lightly, such as “pain in the butt.”
3. Can idioms for pain be used in professional English?
Yes, but choose carefully. For example, “painful lesson” is suitable in business, but “hurt like hell” is too informal.
4. Do native speakers use these idioms often?
Absolutely. Idioms for pain are common in conversations, writing, and even media.
5. How can I remember idioms more easily?
Practice them in real sentences, associate them with emotions, and use them in everyday conversations.
Conclusion
Idioms for pain capture the essence of human suffering—whether physical aches, emotional heartbreaks, or life’s annoyances.
They give us colorful ways to express what plain words sometimes cannot. From “splitting headache” to “stab in the back,” these expressions enrich conversations and make language more powerful.
By learning and practicing these idioms, you can improve both your fluency and your ability to connect emotionally in English. So next time you feel discomfort or disappointment, try expressing it with one of these vivid idioms—and bring your English to life.
