1
a thorn in [possessive] side
固定比喻用法，指持续令人烦恼的人或事。
The new policy has been a thorn in the company's side.
这项新政策一直是公司的眼中钉。
刺；棘刺
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
刺；棘刺
a short, sharp, pointed growth on a plant
The new policy has been a thorn in the company's side.
这项新政策一直是公司的眼中钉。
A modified branch that is hard and sharp like a spike.
令人烦恼的事物
something that causes irritation and annoyance
Any thorn-like structure on plants, such as the spine and the prickle.
(茎或叶上的)刺
a small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf
Be careful when you pick the roses; every stem has a sharp thorn.
你摘玫瑰时要小心；每条茎上都有一根尖刺。
AI contextual example
A thorn from the blackberry bush stuck in my finger and hurt for days.
黑莓丛的一根刺扎进了我的手指，疼了好几天。
AI contextual example
The gardener wore thick gloves to protect his hands from the thorns.
园丁戴着厚手套，以免双手被刺扎伤。
AI contextual example
he's a thorn in my flesh
他是我的肉中刺。
WordNet
固定比喻用法，指持续令人烦恼的人或事。
The new policy has been a thorn in the company's side.
这项新政策一直是公司的眼中钉。
抽象用法，表示某事物的痛苦或烦扰。
He couldn't escape the thorn of regret.
他无法摆脱悔恨之苦。
字面用法，指物理上的刺。
She carefully removed the thorn from her finger.
她小心地拔掉了手指上的刺。
描述物体表面有刺。
The stem of the rose is covered with thorns.
玫瑰的茎上长满了刺。
Not this
This problem is a thorn.
Use this
This problem is thorny.
中文学习者常将名词thorn误用作形容词来表达“棘手的”，但英语中需用形容词thorny。
Not this
There are many thorn in the garden.
Use this
There are many thorns in the garden.
thorn为可数名词，表示多根刺时应用复数形式thorns，不能省略-s。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
眼中钉，肉中刺
The new regulation is a thorn in my side.
这个新规定真是我的眼中钉。
荆棘丛
I got scratched by a thorn bush.
我被荆棘丛刮伤了。
刺扎
He felt a thorn prick his finger.
他感到一根刺扎了他的手指。
荆棘篱笆
The garden is surrounded by a thorn hedge.
花园被荆棘篱笆围着。
肉中刺
His constant complaints are a thorn in the flesh.
他不断的抱怨真是肉中刺。
使人烦恼的人或事
The new regulation has been a thorn in the side of small businesses.
这项新规定一直是小企业的眼中钉。
不断困扰的问题
His chronic back pain has been a thorn in the flesh for years.
他的慢性背痛多年来一直是个难以摆脱的烦恼。
每朵玫瑰都有刺
The famous line 'Every rose has its thorn' reminds us that good things often come with drawbacks.
那句著名的歌词'每朵玫瑰都有刺'提醒我们好事往往伴随缺点。
你是我眼中钉
He described his rival as 'a thorn in my side'.
他把对手描述为'眼中钉'。
Use thorn naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
thorn 发音类似“扫”，扫地时扫到一根刺，令人烦恼。
语域：neutral 常见场景：idiomatic expressions、everyday conversation 该词表示令人烦恼的事物时通常用于习语中，如‘a thorn in someone's side’，在日常对话中比较常见，正式程度为中性。
常与介词 in 或 on 连用，表示‘某处的刺’或‘某物上的刺’
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY, WORDNET.