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Definition trouble in British English

trouble noun

noun
/ˈtrʌb(ə)l/

Trouble is mostly used as an uncountable noun, so:

▪ it is not usually found in the plural

▪ it never comes after a or a number

✗ Most people who are in prison have had troubles with the law before.

✓ Most people who are in prison have had trouble with the law before.

✗ If they come face to face with a trouble, the first thing they do is cry.

✓ If they come face to face with trouble, the first thing they do is cry.

When trouble is the object of the verbs cause and get into, it is always singular:

✗ Young criminals should get in touch with their victims, so that they can realize the troubles they have caused.

✓ Young criminals should get in touch with their victims, so that they can realize the trouble they have caused.

✗ If children get into troubles, their parents must bail them out.

✓ If children get into trouble, their parents must bail them out.

The plural form troubles is used to refer to all the problems that a person has, and it is often used with a possessive determiner:

The prime minister seemed to be brooding over his troubles.

We all have our troubles and we must deal with them as best we can.

Example

The company has had serious financial troubles recently.

Example

The trouble started when I was transferred to a new department.

Example

You could tell your troubles to this man, she thought.

Example

a life filled with pain and trouble

Example

I'm having some trouble with this new software.

Example

He was having trouble hearing her (=finding it difficult to hear her).

Example

She can make a lot of trouble for you.

Example

It would just cause me more trouble in the long run.

Synonyms and related words
problem difficulty trouble
1.1

an aspect or feature of someone or something that causes problems, worries, or difficulties

Example

The trouble with my parents is they think I'm still a child.

Example

The only trouble with that idea was that Isabel would never agree to it.

Example

Your trouble is you are greedy.

2

a health problem affecting a part of your body

Example

My family has a history of heart trouble.

Example

My knee's been giving me a lot of trouble lately.

Example

She's been having a bit of trouble with her eyes.

Synonyms and related words
illness disease sickness
2.1

a problem affecting a machine or system that makes it not work as it should

Example

The plane developed engine trouble five minutes after take-off.

Synonyms and related words
bit rot breakdown bug
Example

It's no trouble at all for me to get her phone number.

Example

I don't mind waiting - it's no trouble.

Example

Sorry we put you to such a lot of trouble.

Example

Thank you for taking the trouble to reply.

Example

She takes a considerable amount of trouble over her appearance.

Example

He'd gone to a lot of trouble to make the evening go perfectly.

Example

Why go to the trouble of washing them by hand?

Example

I'll do your shopping to save you the trouble of going out.

Example

You'll save yourself a lot of trouble if you choose carefully.

Example

Growing roses is more trouble than it is worth.

Synonyms and related words
problem difficulty trouble
Example

I knew we were in trouble when the lift stopped.

Example

The company is in trouble primarily because of poor management.

Example

The plane ran into serious trouble soon after take-off.

Example

The horse got into trouble at the first fence.

Synonyms and related words
crisis battle nightmare danger crisis emergency
5

a situation for which you are likely to be blamed, criticized, or punished

Example

I hear she's in trouble with the police again.

Example

If he hears about this, you'll be in big trouble.

Example

I got into trouble for being late.

Example

If you break it, you'll get us all into trouble.

Example

He's managed to stay out of trouble since coming out of jail.

Synonyms and related words
crisis battle nightmare
Example

There's been a lot of trouble in the neighbourhood recently.

Example

The trouble started when he accused someone of stealing his bicycle.

Example

Peter used to make a lot of trouble at school.

Example

There was crowd trouble at the last match.

Example

Trouble flared on the estate after a youth was arrested.

Synonyms and related words
evil sin wrong aggression brutalities bloodshed
Definition trouble in British English