trouble
Difficulty or problems
A problem or something that makes life hard or stressful.
have [trouble] [doing something]
- He's been having trouble paying his rent lately.
- The company is in serious financial trouble.
- She knew she was in trouble when she saw the police car behind her.
- If you keep talking in class, you'll get into trouble.
- We had some trouble finding the right address.
- I have trouble sleeping at night.
- He is in trouble with the teacher.
- We had trouble finding the bus stop.
- She is having trouble with her homework.
- They got into trouble for being late.
Cause difficulty or distress
To make someone feel worried, upset, or bothered.
to trouble [someone] with [something]
- I'm sorry to trouble you, but could you help me carry this?
- It troubles me that we haven't heard from him in days.
- Don't trouble yourself about the mess—I'll clean it up.
- She was troubled by the news of the accident.
- Sorry to trouble you, can you help me?
- It troubles me when you are sad.
- Don't trouble yourself with this work.
- He was troubled by the bad weather.
Fault in a machine/system
A problem that stops a machine or system from working correctly.
- The plane had engine trouble and had to land early.
- We're having some technical trouble with the website.
- The printer is giving me trouble again.
- My car has engine trouble.
- The TV has some trouble and won't turn on.
- We had computer trouble at work.
- Base: trouble
- Plural: trouble, troubles
- Base: trouble
- 3rd Person Singular: troubles
- Present Participle: troubling
- Past: troubled
get into trouble
1End up in a problem situation
To do something that causes problems for you, often breaking rules or laws.
- If you cheat on the test, you'll get into trouble with the teacher.
- He got into trouble for driving without a license.
look for trouble
1Seek conflict or problems
To act in a way that will probably cause problems or conflict.
- He was drunk and looking for trouble at the bar.
- Don't look for trouble by arguing with them.
ask for trouble
1Do something likely to cause problems
To do something that will probably cause problems for you.
- Not wearing a helmet is just asking for trouble.
- If you keep lying to her, you're asking for trouble.
ask for trouble
2Do something likely to cause trouble
To do something that will probably cause problems or danger for yourself.
- Walking alone at night in that area is just asking for trouble.
- If you don't back up your files, you're asking for trouble.
in trouble
1in a difficult situation
Having problems or being likely to be punished.
- He knew he was in trouble when he saw his boss waiting.
- The hikers were in trouble when the storm hit.
- The company is in trouble financially.
- She's in trouble with her boss for missing the meeting.
spell trouble
1mean serious problems
To mean or cause serious problems.
- Falling sales could spell trouble for the company.
- The dark clouds spell trouble for our picnic plans.
spell trouble
2Indicate future problems
To show that something bad is likely to happen.
- Dark clouds spell trouble for our picnic.
- The new policy could spell trouble for small businesses.