- trouble
- troub|le1 W2S1 [ˈtrʌbəl] n▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(problems)¦2¦(bad point)¦3¦(bad situation)¦4¦(worries)¦5¦(effort)¦6 no trouble7¦(health)¦8¦(machine/system)¦▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1.) ¦(PROBLEMS)¦ [U and C]problems or difficulties▪ We're having a lot of trouble with the new computer system.▪ I've been having trouble checking my e-mail.▪ We had no trouble finding the address.▪ She got the jewellery through customs without any trouble .▪ You can go to the party, but promise me you won't cause any trouble .▪ He was having serious trouble knowing where to start.▪ Sudden changes by the government can cause terrible trouble in the housing market.▪ Recent stock market losses point to trouble ahead .▪ There were a lot of teething troubles in the first year.▪ You won't see what your opponent is doing, and that spells trouble .▪ You're just asking for trouble if you don't give them the money.▪ trouble free holiday2.) ¦(BAD POINT)¦ [singular]used when saying what is bad about a person or situation or what causes problems▪ The trouble with you is that you don't listen.▪ The trouble is there are too many people and not enough places.▪ But no one ever remembers - that's the trouble .▪ You never think, that's your trouble .3.) ¦(BAD SITUATION)¦in/into/out of troublea) if someone or something is in trouble, they are in a situation with a lot of problems▪ He admitted that their marriage was in trouble.get/run into trouble▪ The company ran into trouble when it tried to expand too quickly.in serious/deep trouble▪ The economy was in serious trouble.▪ the dangers of trying to borrow your way out of troubleb) if someone is in trouble, they have done something which someone will punish them for or be angry aboutin deep/big trouble▪ We'll be in big trouble if Mr Elliott finds out.in trouble with sb▪ I think I'm in trouble with Dad.▪ I didn't say anything because I didn't want to get into trouble .keep/stay out of trouble▪ I hope Tim stays out of trouble this year.4.) ¦(WORRIES)¦[U]also troublesproblems in your life which you are worried about▪ He poured out all his troubles to me (=told me all about his problems) .5.) ¦(EFFORT)¦[U]an amount of effort and time that is needed to do somethingtake the trouble to do sth(=make a special effort to do something)▪ The teacher took the trouble to learn all our names on the first day.▪ They've obviously gone to a lot of trouble to arrange everything.save sb the trouble (of doing sth)▪ If you'd asked me first, I could have saved you the trouble.▪ I find that making my own clothes is more trouble than it's worth (=takes too much time and effort) .6.) no troubleused to say politely that you are happy to do something for someone▪ 'Are you sure you don't mind?' 'It's no trouble.'▪ The kids were no trouble (=used to say you were happy to look after them because they were well-behaved) .7.) ¦(HEALTH)¦[U]a problem that you have with your health▪ He has trouble with his breathing.heart/stomach/skin etc trouble▪ He suffers from back trouble.8.) ¦(MACHINE/SYSTEM)¦[U]when something is wrong with a machine, vehicle, or system▪ engine troubletrouble with▪ He had to retire from the race because of trouble with the gearbox.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬COLLOCATES for sense 1have trouble (with something)have (no) trouble doing somethingwithout any/too much trouble (=easily)cause troubleserious troubleterrible troubletrouble ahead (=trouble in the future)teething troubles (=small problems at the start of something new)spell trouble (for somebody) (=there is going to be trouble)what seems to be the trouble? (=used for politely asking why someone is complaining)be asking for trouble (=be silly or dangerous)trouble free (=with no trouble)WORD CHOICE: trouble, problem, troubles!! Trouble is usually an uncountable noun. Never say 'a trouble' : He has caused me a lot of trouble (NOT troubles). | Are you having trouble (NOT a trouble) with your car?A problem is a specific thing that causes worry or difficulty : My biggest problem is shyness. | There were a lot of problems with his work. | They're having problems in their marriage.Your troubles are your worries : Sit down here and forget your troubles (OR problems) for a minute.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬trouble 2trouble2 v [T]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(worry)¦2¦(inconvenience)¦3 may I trouble you?/sorry to trouble you4 don't trouble yourself5 not trouble to do something6¦(health problem)¦7¦(cause problems)¦▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: troubler, from Vulgar Latin turbulare, from Latin turbidus; TURBID]1.) ¦(WORRY)¦if a problem troubles you, it makes you feel worried or upset▪ There is one thing that's been troubling me.▪ They have been deeply troubled by the allegations.▪ His conscience troubled him.2.) ¦(INCONVENIENCE)¦formal to say something or ask someone to do something which may use or waste their time or upset them= ↑bother▪ I promise not to trouble you again.trouble sb with sth▪ I don't want to trouble the doctor with it.▪ I won't trouble you with the details.3.) may I trouble you?/sorry to trouble youspoken formal used when politely asking someone to do something for you or give you something▪ Sorry to trouble you, but could you tell me the way to the station, please?▪ May I trouble you for the salt?4.) don't trouble yourselfspoken used to politely tell someone not to help you▪ Please don't trouble yourself. I can manage.5.) not trouble to do sthto not do something because it needs too much effort= ↑not bother to do something▪ They never troubled to ask me what I would like.▪ Luke didn't trouble to hide his disgust.6.) ¦(HEALTH PROBLEM)¦if a medical problem troubles you, it causes you pain or problems▪ He is still being troubled by an ankle injury.7.) ¦(CAUSE PROBLEMS)¦to cause someone problems or difficulties▪ They look good enough to trouble most teams in the competition.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬HINT sense 5It is much more usual to use bother: Don't bother to call first - just come over. |I didn't bother to change all the sheets.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.
