眼中钉

眼中釘

yǎnzhōngdīng

noun #19,708

Meanings

他一直是老板的眼中钉。

Tā yīzhí shì lǎobǎn de yǎnzhōngdīng.

He has always been a thorn in the boss's side.

对手把他视为眼中钉。

Duìshǒu bǎ tā shìwéi yǎnzhōngdīng.

His rival regards him as a thorn in his side.

memory

眼 (eye) + 中 (in) + 钉 (nail) — a nail in the eye. Imagine the pain of having a nail stuck in your eye — that's how much someone annoys you.

culture

Often paired as 眼中钉，肉中刺 (a nail in the eye, a thorn in the flesh) for emphasis.

眼 yǎn

中 zhōng

钉 dīng