ball-buster
1. Someone who deliberately gives others a hard time, is very demanding, or is insulting. Can be considered vulgar. John's boss, Mark, is quite the ball-buster. After completing the project ahead of time and under budget, Mark ordered John to work through the weekend to finish up other meaningless tasks. My mother-in-law can be such a ball-buster. To her, I never do anything right. Don't be a ball-buster, all right? I'm only trying to help.
2. A particularly challenging or strenuous task. Geez, that problem was a real ball-buster—I can't believe we finally came up with a solution. You're hiking on that trail? Whew, good luck—it's a real ball-buster. I hate running the quarterly report, it's such a ball-buster. Want to do it for me?
3. A woman that men deem intimidating or threatening. Oh, the guys just think Nora's a ball-buster because she's not afraid of them. I thought Mary would be a real ball-buster, until I got to know her better. She's actually incredibly kind. Elise resigned? Thank goodness, she was such a ball-buster to those of us who reported to her.
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