trouble

Universal Words noun, verb noun problem / worry 1 [U,C] ~ (with sb/sth) a problem, worry, difficulty, etc. or a situation causing this: We've been having trouble getting staff. * He could make trouble for me if he wanted to. * The trouble with you is you don't really want to work. * Her trouble is she's incapable of making a decision. * The trouble is (= what is difficult is) there aren't any trains at that time. * The only trouble is we won't be here then. * No, I don't know his number-I have quite enough trouble remembering my own. * We've never had much trouble with vandals around here. * financial troubles * She was on the phone for an hour telling me her troubles. * Our troubles aren't over yet. seealsoTEETHINGTROUBLES illness / pain 2 [U] illness or pain: back / eye / heart trouble * I've been having trouble with my knee. with machine 3 [U] something that is wrong with a machine, vehicle, etc: mechanical trouble * My car's been having engine trouble. difficult / violent situation 4 [U] a situation that is difficult or dangerous; a situation in which you can be criticized or punished: The company ran into trouble early on, when a major order was cancelled. * I've never been one to run away from trouble. * A yachtsman got into trouble off the coast and had to be rescued. * If I don't get this finished in time, I'll be in trouble. * He's in trouble with the police. * My brother was always getting me into trouble with my parents. 5 [C,U] an angry or violent situation: The police were expecting trouble after the match. * If you're not in by midnight, there'll be trouble (= I'll be very angry). * the troubles in Northern Ireland * He had to throw out a few drunks who were causing trouble in the bar. extra effort 6 [U] ~ (to sb) extra effort or work SYNBOTHER: I don't want to put you to a lot of trouble. * I'll get it if you like, that will save you the trouble of going out. * Making your own yogurt is more trouble than it's worth. * She went to a lot of trouble to find the book for me. * He thanked me for my trouble and left. * Nothing is ever too much trouble for her (= she's always ready to help). * I can call back later-it's no trouble (= I don't mind). * I hope the children weren't too much trouble. IDIOMS get sb into trouble (old-fashioned) to make a woman who is not married pregnant give (sb) (some, no, any, etc.) trouble to cause problems or difficulties: My back's been giving me a lot of trouble lately. * The children didn't give me any trouble at all when we were out. look for trouble to behave in a way that is likely to cause an argument, violence, etc: Drunken youths hang around outside looking for trouble. take trouble over / with sth