a thorn in the/someone's flesh/side
idiom
: a person or thing that repeatedly annoys someone or something or causes problems
He's been a thorn in my side for years.
a thorn in the side of the industry
Examples of a thorn in the/someone's flesh/side in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Chaos has convulsed the heart of the European Union whose sanctions and military support for Kyiv have proven to be a thorn in the side of Putin's intentions.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
Cruz has also been a thorn in the side of Democratic efforts to combat climate change, and research advocates are fearful that his chairmanship will give him an even bigger platform on those issues.
—Byjeffrey Mervis, science.org, 12 Nov. 2024
Lai, a billionaire media tycoon who had long been a thorn in the side of Beijing, was arrested in August 2020, shortly after the central Chinese government imposed a national security law that criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
Despite the easing of the inflation rate, still-high prices remain a thorn in the side of consumers, which may explain the dismal Gallup Poll results.
—Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for a thorn in the/someone's flesh/side 
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Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
Cruz has also been a thorn in the side of Democratic efforts to combat climate change, and research advocates are fearful that his chairmanship will give him an even bigger platform on those issues.
—Byjeffrey Mervis, science.org, 12 Nov. 2024
Lai, a billionaire media tycoon who had long been a thorn in the side of Beijing, was arrested in August 2020, shortly after the central Chinese government imposed a national security law that criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
Despite the easing of the inflation rate, still-high prices remain a thorn in the side of consumers, which may explain the dismal Gallup Poll results.
—Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for a thorn in the/someone's flesh/side
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Cite this Entry
“A thorn in the/someone's flesh/side.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20thorn%20in%20the%2Fsomeone%27s%20flesh%2Fside. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
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