From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbanebane /beɪn/ noun [singular] PROBLEMsomething that causes trouble or makes people unhappybe the bane of something Drugs are the bane of the inner cities. Her brother is the bane of her life.
Examples from the Corpus
bane• Most alpine strawberry varieties don't produce runners, a bane for gardeners who want to keep their berry patch under control.• This is of great advantage to good horse trainers, but a real bane to poor ones.• Colds are the bane of singers.• The Morning After Hangovers are the bane of drinkers.• Knee injuries are the bane of the karate competitor's life.• Though Minton's interest in youth fuelled his teaching, he could not escape the bane of its repetitiveness.• Consequently, what forms the bane of middle-aged women's vanity can be used to your advantage.be the bane of something• Colds are the bane of singers.• The Morning After Hangovers are the bane of drinkers.• Knee injuries are the bane of the karate competitor's life.• This then is the bane of the simple auto-circuit.• They are the bane of my life.Origin bane Old English bana 