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Meaning of thorn in the flesh | Babel Free

Noun CEFR C2

Definitions

A persistent difficulty or something very annoying that will not go away.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“Whereas the growth of new middle and upper classes remains a thorn in the flesh to the Communist Party, the military element is inclined to favor this development, in the belief that those who have something at stake are more likely to fight to defend the system in the event of another conflict.”
“Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the post of the Executive Director of the Kenya Roads Board has been a thorn in the flesh of the Minister.”
“Even individual castles could be a thorn in the flesh of a powerful kingdom.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.

See also

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