trouble (someone or oneself) with (someone or something)
1. To bother or inconvenience someone with something, such as a problem, question, or task. There's no need to trouble the boss with this—the project manager should be able to help you resolve it. Excuse me, could I trouble you with a couple of questions for my school paper?
2. To concern oneself with or worry about someone or something. Often used in negative constructions. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is always used. It's just a minor technical error that should resolve itself—don't trouble yourself with it. I know I need to stop troubling myself with such negative people, but I can't help letting their comments get to me.
3. To burden or inconvenience oneself with the undertaking of some task. Often used in negative constructions. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is always used. Don't trouble yourself with cutting the lawn, Jeremy, I can do that another time. He couldn't trouble himself with backing up his files, and now he's lost all of his work.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.