/ ˈhæsl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun [ C , U ] ( informal )
1.
a situation that is annoying because it involves doing sth difficult or complicated that needs a lot of effort :
Send them an email—it's a lot less hassle than phoning.
legal hassles
2.
a situation in which people disagree, argue or annoy you :
Do as you're told and don't give me any hassle!
■ verb
[ vn ] ( informal ) to annoy sb or cause them trouble, especially by asking them to do sth many times
SYN bother :
Don't keep hassling me! I'll do it later.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 19th cent. (originally dialect in the sense hack or saw at ): of unknown origin, perhaps a blend of haggle and tussle .