like pulling teeth
idiom
—used to say that something is very difficult and frustrating
Getting him to make a decision is like pulling teeth.
Examples of like pulling teeth in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Once upon a not-so-distant time, getting Yanks to watch soccer was like pulling teeth—although admittedly the networks that first experimented with international football were out of their element.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 June 2024
Before then, Aveni recalled, getting Buckley to say anything positive about her voice was like pulling teeth.
—Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2024
To use it, just clip it onto the edge of the can, maneuver the extra large turn knob, and the wheel effortlessly glides along the can’s outer rim for a seamless puncturing, unlike so many can openers that can feel like pulling teeth or driving down a bumpy road).
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2024
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 28 June 2024
Before then, Aveni recalled, getting Buckley to say anything positive about her voice was like pulling teeth.
—Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2024
To use it, just clip it onto the edge of the can, maneuver the extra large turn knob, and the wheel effortlessly glides along the can’s outer rim for a seamless puncturing, unlike so many can openers that can feel like pulling teeth or driving down a bumpy road).
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'like pulling teeth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near like pulling teeth
Cite this Entry
“Like pulling teeth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/like%20pulling%20teeth. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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