problem

problem
prob|lem
W1S1 [ˈprɔbləm US ˈpra:-] n
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1¦(difficulty)¦
2
3¦(question)¦
4 no problem
5 the (only) problem is (that) ...
6 that's your/his etc problem
7 it's/that's not my problem
8 What's your/his etc problem?
9 Do you have a problem with that?
10 problem child/family/drinker etc
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[Date: 1300-1400; : French; Origin: problème, from Latin problema, from Greek, 'something thrown forward', from proballein 'to throw forward']
1.) ¦(DIFFICULTY)¦
a situation that causes difficulties
problem of
▪ the problem of race relations
problem with
▪ I've been having a few problems with my car.
▪ She was older than me, but that wasn't a problem.
▪ new ways of dealing with the problem of street crime
▪ Does this mean that all our problems are solved ?
▪ They still have some serious problems to overcome .
▪ new measures aimed at tackling the drug problem
▪ The shortage of teachers poses a major problem .
▪ The country has huge economic problems .
▪ He had to take some time off work due to personal problems .
▪ The marriage ended because of her husband's drink problem .
▪ We still haven't sorted out the thorny problem of where exactly the money is going to come from.
see usage note ↑trouble1
2.) something wrong with your health or with part of your body
health problem/problem with your health
▪ Does she have any long-term health problems?
back/heart/kidney etc problem
▪ If you have back problems you should avoid lifting heavy objects.
hearing problem
▪ Many people with hearing problems try to hide their condition.
weight problem
▪ She refuses to admit to herself that she has a weight problem.
emotional/psychological problem
▪ Is this a sign of some kind of deeper psychological problem?
3.) ¦(QUESTION)¦
a question for which you have to find the right answer, using mathematics or careful thought
▪ She gave us 20 mathematical problems to solve.
4.) no problemspoken
a) used to say that you are happy to do something or for someone else to do something
▪ 'Can I bring a friend?' 'Sure, no problem.'
b) used after someone has said thank you or said that they are sorry
▪ 'Thanks for all your help.' 'No problem!'
5.) the (only) problem is (that) ...
spoken used before saying what the main difficulty in a situation is
▪ The problem is, there isn't enough time.
6.) that's your/his etc problem
spoken used to say rudely that someone else is responsible for dealing with a situation, not you
▪ If you miss the train, that's your problem.
7.) it's/that's not my problem
spoken used to say rudely that you are not responsible for dealing with a particular problem and are not willing to help
▪ 'We've got a serious staffing shortage.' 'That's not my problem.'
8.) What's your/his etc problem?
spoken informal used when you think that someone is behaving in a way that is unreasonable
9.) Do you have a problem with that?
spoken informal used to ask someone why they seem to disagree with you, in a way that shows that you are annoyed
10.) problem child/family/drinker etc
a child etc whose behaviour causes problems for other people
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COLLOCATES for sense 1
have a problem
big/serious/major problem
cause a problem
deal with/sort out a problem
solve/fix/overcome a problem
address/tackle a problem
pose/present a probem
a problem arises/occurs/comes up (=it happens)
economic/financial problems
personal problem (=a problem in someone's private life)
money/family problems
drink/drug problem (=when someone drinks too much alcohol or takes too many drugs)
thorny/knotty problem (=a difficult problem)
GRAMMAR
You can say that you have a problem or have problems : We have a slight problem. | Are you having problems with your parents?
!! You can have problems doing something. Do not use 'to do' : I'm having a problem finishing (NOT a problem to finish) this. |He had problems finding (NOT problems to find) a job.
!! Do not say 'the problem why'. To explain why there is a problem, use the reason why : The reason why people don't shop there is that it costs too much.
!! Do not say 'problems happen'. Use the verbs arise or occur : Problems start to arise (NOT start to happen) when people don't keep up their payments.
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Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Synonyms:
(to be solved), , , , , , , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

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