throw sand in the gears
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases Difficult things and people
a (heavy) cross to bearidiom
albatross
ball and chain
bane
be dead meatidiom
be in the clearidiom
bump
chill
equation
hassle
hiccup
hindrance
hot potato
impediment
nut
snag
stumbling block
teaser
teething troubles
thorn in your flesh/sideidiom
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Difficult situations and unpleasant experiences