bother

both|er¹ W3S1 [ˈbɔðə US ˈba:ðər] v

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1¦(make an effort)¦

2¦(worry)¦

3¦(annoy)¦

4 somebody can't/couldn't be bothered (to do something)

5¦(cause pain)¦

6 sorry to bother you

7¦(frighten)¦

8 not bother yourself/not bother your head

9 bother it/them etc

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[Date: 1600-1700; Origin: Perhaps from Irish Gaelic bodhar 'deaf, bothered']

1.) ¦(MAKE AN EFFORT)¦ [I,T usually in questions and negatives]

to make the effort to do something

(not) bother to do sth

▪ He didn't bother to answer the question.

not bother about/with

▪ He didn't bother with a reply.

(not) bother doing sth

▪ Many young people didn't bother voting.

don't/didn't/won't etc bother

▪ 'Do you want me to wait for you?' 'No, don't bother.'

▪ Why bother to go abroad, when there are so many nice places here at home?

2.) ¦(WORRY)¦ [I and T]

to make someone feel slightly worried, upset, or concerned

▪ Being in a crowd really bothers me.

▪ It was very noisy, but that didn't bother me.

bother about

especially BrE

▪ I try not to bother about what other people think.

bother sb that

▪ It really bothered me that he'd forgotten my birthday.

3.) ¦(ANNOY)¦ [I and T]

to annoy someone, especially by interrupting them when they are trying to do something

▪ Danny, don't bother Ellen while she's reading.

▪ Would it bother you if I put on some music?

bother sb about/with sth

▪ It didn't seem worth bothering the doctor about.

4.) sb can't/couldn't be bothered (to do sth)

especially BrE used to say that you do not want to make the effort to do something, or that you are not interested in doing something

▪ It was so hot I couldn't be bothered to cook.

▪ I should be revising, but I just can't be bothered.

5.) ¦(CAUSE PAIN)¦ [T]

if a part of your body bothers you, it is slightly painful or uncomfortable

▪ My back's been bothering me.

6.) sorry to bother you

spoken used as a very polite way of interrupting someone when you want their attention

▪ Sorry to bother you, but Mr. Grey is on the line.

7.) ¦(FRIGHTEN)¦ [T]

to upset or frighten someone by talking to them when they do not want to talk to you, trying to hurt them, touch them sexually etc

▪ Don't worry, my dog won't bother you.

▪ If he starts bothering you, let me know.

8.) not bother yourself/not bother your head

to not spend time or effort on something, either because it is not important or because it is too difficult

not bother yourself/not bother your head with/about

▪ Cliff didn't want to bother himself with masses of detail.

9.) bother it/them etc

BrE spoken old-fashioned used to express a sudden feeling of annoyance about something

▪ Oh bother it! The thread's broken again!

bother ²

bother² n

1.) [U] especially BrE trouble or difficulty that has been caused by small problems and that usually only continues for a short time

= ↑trouble

▪ It's an old car, but it's never caused me any bother.

bother with

▪ Joe's been having a bit of bother with his back again.

▪ 'Thanks for your help.' ' It was no bother (=used to emphasize that you were happy to help someone) at all.'

▪ My mother hardly ever went to the bother of (=the effort of) making cakes.

▪ Are you sure the station is on your way? I don't want to give you any extra bother .

▪ I should have phoned the shop first and saved myself the bother of going there.

sth is more bother than it's worth

(=it is too difficult to be worth doing)

2.) a bother

especially BrE a person or job that slightly annoys you by causing trouble or problems

▪ I hate to be a bother, but could you show me how the photocopier works?

bother ³

bother³ interjection BrE informal

used when you are slightly annoyed

▪ Oh bother! I forgot to phone Jean.