A pain in the neck Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Personification Use this phrase to attribute human-like irritants to inanimate objects or situations. My tangled headphones are being a pain in the neck today. Pro Tip 2/3Slight Exaggeration It's often used to exaggerate minor inconveniences for a humorous effect. This puzzle is a real pain in the neck, but I love it! Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Tone The phrase can express frustration in a somewhat playful way, without being harsh. You're being such a pain in the neck, stop teasing me!