TROUBLE

(DIFFICULTIES) [noun] - problems or difficultiesThe form was terribly complicated and I had a lot of trouble with it. [U]She had a lot of trouble trying to explain to her husband where the money had gone. [U + verb-ing]Their problems seem to be over for the moment, but there could be more trouble ahead. [U]Giving him such a powerful car when he's only just learned to drive is asking for (= likely to cause) trouble. [U]The trouble began when my father came to live with us. [U]Trouble had been brewing (= developing gradually) for several months, so we weren't surprised when she got the sack. [U]Parents often have trouble finding restaurants that welcome young children. [U + verb-ing]I had a lot of trouble getting pregnant the second time. [U + verb-ing]Did you have any trouble getting a work permit? [U + verb-ing]She hasn't started studying for her exams and she's heading for real trouble. [U]I think you'll have trouble persuading him that it's a good idea. [U + verb-ing]The latest opinion polls spell (= suggest that there will be) trouble for the government. [U]You'll only be storing up trouble for the future if you don't go to the dentist now. [U]I should get it finished over the weekend without too much trouble. [U]She thought her troubles would be over once she'd got divorced. [C]A lack of money seems to be the cause of all his troubles. [C]My Christmas shopping is the least of my troubles at the moment. I haven't even got enough money to pay the rent. [C]My troubles started the day I decided to buy a house. [C]Most of the current troubles stem from our new computer system. [C]A person or thing's trouble is a characteristic that is considered a disadvantage or problem.Ron's trouble is that he's too impatient.The trouble with Pat's new girlfriend is that she drinks too much.The trouble with this carpet is that it gets dirty very easily.It's a brilliant idea. The only trouble is that we don't know how much it will cost.Sometimes trouble is problems or difficulties caused by something failing to operate as it should.I haven't had much trouble with the car recently. [U]The smoke was so thick that I was having trouble breathing. [U + verb-ing]The plane developed engine trouble shortly after takeoff. [U]They have a good reputation for building reliable trouble-free cars.Her knee trouble is expected to keep her out of the game for the rest of the season. [U]Trouble can also be problems in the form of arguments, fighting or violence.Listen, I don't want any trouble in here, so please just finish your drink and leave.You can only go to the match if you promise to leave at the first sign of trouble.There have been riots in the capital, and trouble has also flared up in other parts of the country.He says he doesn't go looking for trouble, but he still manages to get into a fight most Saturday nights.My little brother's always trying to stir up (= create) trouble between me and my boyfriend.Trouble is also a situation in which you experience problems, usually because of something you have done wrong or badly.I didn't think he was in trouble at first - I thought he was just pretending to be drowning.He's never been in trouble with his teachers before.She'll be in big trouble if she crashes Sam's car.You'll get into deep trouble if you continue being late for work.The country is in tremendous economic trouble.He got into financial trouble after his divorce.I hope you won't get into trouble because of what I said to your dad.She was always getting into trouble with the police when she was a teenager.The camp is a great way of getting kids off the street and keeping them out of trouble.I hope I haven't landed you in trouble with your boss.The marriage ran into trouble because of her husband's heavy drinking.I would have been in real (= a large amount of) trouble if I'd been caught.The company will be in very serious trouble if we lose this contract.He's stayed out of trouble since he was released from jail last year.He usually tries to lie his way out of trouble.(dated) If a man gets a woman or girl who is not married into trouble, he makes her pregnant.When he got his girlfriend into trouble they had to choose between marriage and an abortion.A trouble spot is a place where there is regularly political violence.There is increasing demand for the United Nations to intervene in trouble spots throughout the world.A trouble spot is also a part of a road where traffic is moving unusually slowly because there is a lot of it or because of an accident.Thousands of holidaymakers have been caught up in trouble spots throughout the country.