trouble with

the trouble with (someone or something)

The most irritating or troublesome aspect or characteristic of someone or something. The trouble with kids these days is that they have no concept of patience—with technology, they get whatever they want, whenever they want! The trouble with cycling to work is how sweaty you get on the way.

See also: trouble

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.

See also: trouble

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

trouble someone with something

to bother someone with something, such as a question or a problem. I hate to trouble you with this, but could you help me adjust my binoculars? Don't trouble yourself with this matter.

See also: trouble

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.