World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionaries悩みの種
Pronunciation / Transliteration: nayami no tane
"彼には長年頭を悩ませている大きな問題がある。"
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To have a persistent personal problem or a drug addiction that is extremely difficult to overcome or get rid of.
"He has had a monkey on his back with gambling debts for over five years." - 2
To carry a heavy, ongoing burden, worry, or obligation that continually troubles someone.
"That unresolved lawsuit is a major monkey on our company's back."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating in American English during the early 20th century, the idiom originally referred specifically to a drug addiction that was difficult to shake, drawing a vivid mental image of a burdensome animal clinging persistently to a person's spine. Over time, the phrase broadened its semantic scope to describe any persistent, nagging problem, trouble, or obligation that causes ongoing anxiety and is hard to get rid of.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Monkey on your back"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Monkey on your back" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
avoir un boulet au pied
Transliteration: avwar un bou-le o pye
"Il a un sérieux problème qui pèse sur ses épaules."
ein schweres Kreuz tragen
Transliteration: ain schweres kroyts tragen
"Er hat schon lange mit dieser Sucht zu kämpfen."
avere un chiodo fisso
Transliteration: avere un kyodo fisso
"Ha un problema costante che lo perseguita."
cargar con una cruz
Transliteration: kar-gar kon u-na krus
"Lleva ese grave problema a cuestas desde hace años."
carregar um fardo pesado
Transliteration: ka-he-gar um far-du pe-za-du
"Ele carrega esse vício como um fardo constante."
गले की फाँस होना
Transliteration: gale ki phans hona
"यह पुरानी आदत उसकी ज़िंदगी में गले की फाँस बन गई है।"
挥之不去的负担
Transliteration: huī zhī bù qù de fùdān
"戒毒对瘾君子来说就像甩不掉的包袱。"
골칫거리
Transliteration: gol-chit-geo-ri
"그에게는 떨쳐버릴 수 없는 큰 골칫거리가 있다."
悩みの種
Transliteration: nayami no tane
"彼には長年頭を悩ませている大きな問題がある。"
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