be a pain in the neck

rude slang To be an annoying person, or an annoying or inconvenient thing or situation; to be something that causes aggravation. You know, Jack, you may be my friend, but you can be a real pain in the neck sometimes! This calculus homework is a real pain in the neck. It's not that I don't understand it, it's just so tedious! Boy, traffic has sure been a pain in the neck since construction started on the bridge.