Definition

1. Noun:

   • A state of distress, anxiety, or difficulty: "Trouble" refers to a situation that causes worry, problems, or inconvenience.
   • A cause of distress or difficulty: It can also refer to the specific source or event that creates problems.
   • Effort or inconvenience: "Trouble" can mean the exertion or bother required to do something.
   • A malfunction or disorder: In technical or medical contexts, it refers to a fault, illness, or unhealthy condition.

2. Verb:

   • To cause distress, worry, or inconvenience to someone: The act of disturbing someone's peace of mind or comfort.
   • To make an effort or take pains: To bother or concern oneself with doing something.
   • To agitate or disturb physically: To make something murky or unsettled.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • He is having financial trouble. (He is experiencing problems with money.)
  • The engine trouble delayed our flight. (The mechanical problem caused a delay.)
  • She went to a lot of trouble to prepare the meal. (She put in significant effort.)
  • Stay out of trouble. (Avoid getting into problematic situations.)

• Verb:

  • I'm sorry to trouble you, but could you help me? (I apologize for inconveniencing you.)
  • The news troubled him deeply. (The news caused him great worry.)
  • Don't trouble yourself over the details. (Do not concern yourself or make an effort.)
  • The storm troubled the waters of the lake. (The storm agitated the lake's surface.)

Advanced Usage

• "To be in trouble": To be in a difficult or problematic situation, often facing potential punishment or negative consequences.

  • If you break the rules, you will be in trouble.

• "To ask for trouble" / "To look for trouble": To behave in a way that is very likely to cause problems.

  • Driving that fast in the rain is asking for trouble.

• "To take the trouble to do something": To make a special effort to do something.

  • He took the trouble to write a personal thank-you note.

Variants and Related Words

• Troublesome (adj): Causing difficulty or annoyance.

  • It was a troublesome noise that kept me awake.

• Troubled (adj): Showing, feeling, or characterized by worry or distress.

  • She had a troubled expression on her face.

• Troubling (adj): Causing worry or distress.

  • We received some troubling news.

Synonyms

• Noun: Problem, difficulty, distress, worry, bother, inconvenience, strife, ailment.
• Verb: Disturb, bother, worry, perturb, upset, inconvenience, afflict.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Trouble with: To have problems related to a specific thing or person.

  • He's been troubling with a bad back for years.

• Trouble over: To worry or be concerned about something.

  • There's no need to trouble over such a small mistake.

Related Idioms

• "Teething troubles": Minor problems that occur in the early stages of a new project or activity.

  • The new software had some teething troubles but works well now.

• "A trouble shared is a trouble halved": Talking about your problems with someone makes them easier to bear.

  • Don't keep it to yourself. Remember, a trouble shared is a trouble halved.

Noun

1. an unwanted pregnancy
   • he got several girls in trouble
2. a strong feeling of anxiety
   • his worry over the prospect of being fired
   • it is not work but worry that kills
   • he wanted to die and end his troubles
3. an effort that is inconvenient
   • I went to a lot of trouble
   • he won without any trouble
   • had difficulty walking
   • finished the test only with great difficulty
4. an event causing distress or pain
   • what is the trouble?
   • heart trouble
5. an angry disturbance
   • he didn't want to make a fuss
   • they had labor trouble
   • a spot of bother
6. a source of difficulty
   • one trouble after another delayed the job
   • what's the problem?

Verb

1. cause bodily suffering to and make sick or indisposed
2. take the trouble to do something; concern oneself
   • He did not trouble to call his mother on her birthday
   • Don't bother, please
3. disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed
   • She was rather perturbed by the news that her father was seriously ill
4. to cause inconvenience or discomfort to
   • Sorry to trouble you, but...
5. move deeply
   • This book upset me
   • A troubling thought