From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishtroubletroub‧le1 /ˈtrʌbəl/ ●●● S1 W2 noun 1 problems [uncountable] (also troubles [plural])PROBLEM problems or difficultiestrouble with We’re having a lot of trouble with the new computer system. Recent stock market losses point to trouble ahead.► see thesaurus at problem2 bad point [singular]PROBLEM 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 → in/into/out of trouble4 fighting [uncountable] fighting, violence, or violent behaviour If the kids start to cause trouble, ask them to move on. A handful of people came looking for trouble. If you start any trouble, you’ll regret it. There was crowd trouble before the match.5 worries [uncountable] (also troubles [plural]) problems in your life which you are worried about He poured out all his troubles to me (=told me all about his problems).6 effort [uncountable]TRY TO DO OR GET something an amount of effort and time that is needed to do somethingtake the trouble to do something (=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 somebody the trouble (of doing something) 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). 7 → no trouble8 health [uncountable]ILLNESS/DISEASE a problem that you have with your health He has trouble with his breathing.heart/stomach/skin etc trouble He suffers from back trouble.► see thesaurus at illness9 machine/system [uncountable]PROBLEM 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.GRAMMAR: Countable or uncountable?• Trouble is usually used as an uncountable noun: Are you having trouble with your car? ✗Don’t say: Are you having a trouble with your car? Trouble is not used with ‘a’.• The plural form troubles is used when talking about worries or bad experiences that someone has: Tell me about all your troubles. COLLOCATIONSverbshave troubleHe is having trouble getting his message across to the voters.have no troubleWe had no trouble finding her house.cause troubleI hope the delay hasn’t caused you any trouble.there is troubleThere was some trouble at her office, but she didn’t say what it was.mean/spell trouble (=mean there will be trouble)They are now much more competitive, which can only spell trouble for their rivals.be asking for trouble (=be silly or dangerous)It’s asking for trouble to wear high-heeled shoes on a long walk.avoid troubleWe avoid trouble by planning carefully.adjectivesbig/great troubleHigh interest rates spell big trouble for homeowners.terrible troubleI’ve been having terrible trouble sleeping.endless trouble (=a lot of trouble)They had endless trouble with the water supply.serious troubleI was having serious trouble knowing where to begin.teething troubles British English (=small problems that you have when you first start doing a new job or using a new system)There were a lot of teething troubles in the first year.phraseswhat the trouble isA couple of nurses rushed into the room to see what the trouble was.without any/much trouble (=easily)The work was carried out without any trouble.
Examples from the Corpus
trouble• When they walked by, I knew there was going to be trouble.• Snow and freezing temperatures caused trouble at many airports.• Anyway, the three friends strut around their complex baiting police, doing Robert De Niro impressions and generally causing trouble.• If you have engine trouble, park as far to the side of the road as possible.• Norris had trouble finding work and is still unemployed.• If you used the same tape later and had no trouble with the picture, the problem is probably in the VCR.• My life fell apart, but he had no trouble picking up the pieces and forged ahead with a new woman.• We have had a lot of trouble with the car this year.• Towson led 14-12 at the half, but signs of trouble were evident.• The U.S. is responsible for its own troubles.• The pilot reported trouble with both engines.• The mortgage payments were no small trouble, what with his sister gone; he needed to improve his profits, dramatically.• We've been having some trouble with the air-conditioning.• If you used the same tape later and had no sound trouble, the problem is in the video recorder, not the tape.• Much has also been made of the effect the troubles are having on tourism, farming, and the exchange rate.• That was just the start of the trouble.• Perhaps, I thought, she sensed the trouble she was in.• I think we've found out what the trouble is.• The trouble was caused by a loose connection in the fuse box.• The trouble with lasagne is that it takes so long to make.• The troubles are far from over.The trouble with ... is that• The trouble with Edward is that he's practically a saint.• The trouble with Elizabeth is that she is over-modest.• The trouble with gardening is that you have to do it outside.• The trouble with planners is that they often persuaded themselves that they could and should impose their plans on other people.• The trouble with teachers is that they are always right - even when they're wrong!• The trouble with this is that if it didn't work it might be because the conditions and catalysts are wrong.• But the trouble with environmentalists is that they are conveniently selective.• But the trouble with ontology is that it is easy to state as a problem, highly difficult to handle in practice.take the trouble to do something• Take the trouble to learn all of your students' names. They will appreciate it.• Hitachi have also taken the trouble to make the control large enough to operate when wearing thick gloves.• The head of department has been very helpful - he even took the trouble to show me round the premises during his lunch hour.• He was quite gracious instead, thanking us for taking the trouble to discuss our grievances with him.• Mr Tempest said he was sorry to receive the news but glad he had taken the trouble to inquire.• But Richard would read it all, searching carefully, talking to anyone who had taken the trouble to come in.• My attitude is that if somebody has taken the trouble to write a letter, they deserve a reply.• My bank manager took the trouble to write a very detailed letter answering my inquiry.• Because my mum took the trouble to buy a Black doll.• The exhibition was there to display; we must take the trouble to understand what it displayed.• Some analysts predicted only a small percentage of subscribers would take the trouble to request refunds or credits.has trouble with• The first ten seconds show the problem: Barbara has trouble with her social life but is unaware of the cause.• Leroy, one of the newfangled, sensitive hoodlums, has trouble with relationships himself and understands Samantha's frustrations too well.• She has trouble with her eyes, and with her legs, all due to some form of arthritis, I think.• She still has trouble with the spelling of some words.• He suddenly has trouble with his breathing.trouble with• Grandma has had trouble with her heart.• We've been having trouble with our teenage son.• We're having trouble with our oven.troubletrouble2 ●●○ verb [transitive] 1 worryWORRIED 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 formalASK FOR something/ASK somebody TO DO something to say something or ask someone to do something which may use or waste their time or upset them SYN bother I promise not to trouble you again.trouble somebody with something 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 you4 → don’t trouble yourself5 → not trouble to do something6 health problemHURT/CAUSE PAIN 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.→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
trouble• But its seeming determination to do so is deeply troubling.• Castro said he was troubled by such disparities.• She is troubled by the fact that her son already shows signs of inheriting his father's mental problems.• Many workers said they were troubled by the lack of safety procedures.• He is troubled for two reasons.• Marian talked over with him some of the things that troubled her.• You must talk to your daughter and find out what's troubling her.• The incident troubled me -- it wasn't like Sarah to be so secretive.• He got permission to fly home to Detroit for a look-see at his troubled right ankle.• He often troubled the neighbors to take care of his dog.• Every great religion originally appeared as a response among people desperate for comfort and solace during troubling times.• Stephen's been troubled with an earache all week.• She doesn't want to trouble you by asking lots of questions.• I didn't want to trouble you - you have your own problems.deeply troubled• Gabriel tried to slot this into what the new death was all about; she was deeply troubled.• But Bill was quiet, deeply troubled about the trial.• Both Abu Nidal and Gandhi were deeply troubled and ultimately mobilized into political action by their personal experiences.• She remains deeply troubled by separatist movements.• Even White House sources said some aides were deeply troubled by the coffee and believe it should not have occurred.• Athelstan, a skilled confessor, perceived Sir Brian was a good but deeply troubled man.• Bill Archer is very worried, deeply troubled that a constitutional crisis may be approaching.Origin trouble2 (1200-1300) Old French troubler, from Vulgar Latin turbulare, from Latin turbidus; → TURBID 