trouble

Word family  noun trouble adjective troubled troublesome troubling verb trouble

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++troub·le1 /ˈtrʌbəl/ ●●● S1 W2 noun  1  problems 问题 [uncountable] (also troubles [plural])PROBLEM problems or difficulties 麻烦，问题，困难trouble with We’re having a lot of trouble with the new computer system. 我们新的电脑系统有许多问题。 Recent stock market losses point to trouble ahead. 最近股市的下跌预示着未来将有麻烦。► see thesaurus at problem2  bad point 不好的方面 [singular]PROBLEM used when saying what is bad about a person or situation or what causes problems 缺点，问题 The trouble with you is that you don’t listen. 你的问题是听不进别人的话。 The trouble is there are too many people and not enough places. 问题是人太多，地方不够。 But no one ever remembers – that’s the trouble. 但是没有一个人记得——这是个问题。 You never think, that’s your trouble. 你从不动脑子，这就是你的问题。3  BAD SITUATION 恶劣处境in/into/out of trouble a) DANGEROUSPROBLEMif someone or something is in trouble, they are in a situation with a lot of problems 处于/陷入/脱离困境 He admitted that their marriage was in trouble. 他承认他们的婚姻遇到了麻烦。get/run into trouble The company ran into trouble when it tried to expand too quickly. 这家公司扩张太快，陷入了困境。in serious/deep trouble The economy was in serious trouble. 经济陷入困顿。 the dangers of trying to borrow your way out of trouble 试图通过举债摆脱困境的危险性 b) if someone is in trouble, they have done something which someone will punish them for or be angry about 惹出麻烦/远离麻烦in deep/big trouble We’ll be in big trouble if Mr Elliott finds out. 如果被埃利奥特先生发现，我们的麻烦就大了。in trouble with somebody I think I’m in trouble with Dad. 我想我爸要找我麻烦了。 I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to get into trouble. 我什么也没说，因为我不想惹麻烦。keep/stay out of trouble I hope Tim stays out of trouble this year. 我希望蒂姆今年不会有麻烦。4  fighting 打斗 [uncountable] fighting, violence, or violent behaviour 打斗 If the kids start to cause trouble, ask them to move on. 要是小孩子惹麻烦的话，叫他们走开。 A handful of people came looking for trouble. 几个人前来闹事。 If you start any trouble, you’ll regret it. 要是你先动手，你会后悔的。 There was crowd trouble before the match. 比赛之前出现一阵骚乱。5  worries 担忧 [uncountable] (also troubles [plural]) problems in your life which you are worried about 苦恼，烦恼 He poured out all his troubles to me (=told me all about his problems). 他向我倾诉了所有的苦恼。6  effort 努力 [uncountable]TRY TO DO OR GET something an amount of effort and time that is needed to do something 麻烦，费事；不方便take the trouble to do something (=make a special effort to do something) 费力做某事 The teacher took the trouble to learn all our names on the first day. 老师在第一天就努力记住了我们所有人的名字。 They’ve obviously gone to a lot of trouble to arrange everything. 他们显然是费了好大的劲安排了这一切。save somebody the trouble (of doing something) If you’d asked me first, I could have saved you the trouble. 你要是先问问我，我就会让你省了这个麻烦。 I find that making my own clothes is more trouble than it’s worth (=takes too much time and effort). 我觉得自己做衣服太费劲，不划算。7  no trouble used to say politely that you are happy to do something for someone 一点也不麻烦 ‘Are you sure you don’t mind?’ ‘It’s no trouble.’ “你真的不介意吗？”“一点不介意。” The kids were no trouble (=used to say you were happy to look after them because they were well-behaved). 孩子们很乖，一点都没添麻烦。8  health 健康 [uncountable]ILLNESS/DISEASE a problem that you have with your health 毛病 He has trouble with his breathing. 他呼吸有问题。heart/stomach/skin etc trouble He suffers from back trouble. 他患有背部疾病。► see thesaurus at illness9  machine/system 机器/系统 [uncountable]PROBLEM when something is wrong with a machine, vehicle, or system 〔机器、车辆或系统的〕故障，毛病 engine trouble 发动机故障trouble with He had to retire from the race because of trouble with the gearbox. 他因为变速箱故障不得不退出比赛。n GRAMMAR: Countable or uncountable?• Trouble is usually used as an uncountable noun: 通常用作不可数名词，一定不要说a troubleAre you having trouble with your car? 你的车出问题了吗？ ✗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 trouble 有困难He is having trouble getting his message across to the voters. 他难以向选民传达自己的意思。have no trouble 没困难We had no trouble finding her house. 我们毫不费劲就找到了她家。cause trouble 造成麻烦I hope the delay hasn’t caused you any trouble. 我希望事情延误没有给你造成麻烦。there is trouble 有麻烦There was some trouble at her office, but she didn’t say what it was. 她办公室有些麻烦事，但她没说是什么。mean/spell trouble (=mean there will be trouble) 会有麻烦nThey are now much more competitive, which can only spell trouble for their rivals.be asking for trouble (=be silly or dangerous) 自找麻烦nIt’s asking for trouble to wear high-heeled shoes on a long walk.avoid trouble 避免麻烦nWe avoid trouble by planning carefully.adjectivesbig/great trouble 大麻烦High interest rates spell big trouble for homeowners. 高利率给房屋业主带来大麻烦。terrible trouble 极大的麻烦I’ve been having terrible trouble sleeping. 我最近睡眠很不好。endless trouble (=a lot of trouble) 无尽的麻烦They had endless trouble with the water supply. 他们的用水麻烦不断。serious trouble 重大的麻烦nI 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) 初期阶段遇到的小问题nThere were a lot of teething troubles in the first year.phraseswhat the trouble is 出了什么问题A couple of nurses rushed into the room to see what the trouble was. 几名护士冲进屋内，看看出了什么问题。without any/much trouble (=easily) 没有任何/多少麻烦nThe 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.trouble2 ●●○ verb [transitive]  1  worry 担忧WORRIED if a problem troubles you, it makes you feel worried or upset 使忧虑，使苦恼 There is one thing that’s been troubling me. 有一件事一直苦恼着我。 They have been deeply troubled by the allegations. 他们对这些指控深感忧虑。 His conscience troubled him. 他的良知使他不安。2  inconvenience 不方便 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 麻烦〔某人〕；使费神 SYN bother I promise not to trouble you again. 我保证不再麻烦你了。trouble somebody with something I don’t want to trouble the doctor with it. 我不想为这事麻烦医生。 I won’t trouble you with the details. 我就不麻烦你听那些细节了。3  may I trouble you?/sorry to trouble you spoken formalASK FOR something/ASK somebody TO DO something used when politely asking someone to do something for you or give you something 我可以麻烦您一下吗？/对不起，麻烦您一下 Sorry to trouble you, but could you tell me the way to the station, please? 对不起，麻烦您一下，请问到车站怎么走？ May I trouble you for the salt? 麻烦您把盐递给我好吗？4  don’t trouble yourself spoken used to politely tell someone not to help you 不麻烦您了，不用麻烦您 Please don’t trouble yourself. I can manage. 不麻烦您了，我自己能行。5  not trouble to do something NOT DO somethingto not do something because it needs too much effort 不费神[操心]做某事 They never troubled to ask me what I would like. 他们从不费心来问一下我喜欢什么。 Luke didn’t trouble to hide his disgust. 卢克懒得去掩饰自己的反感。 RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say not bother to do something rather than not trouble to do something: 在日常英语中，人们一般说not bother to do sth，而不说not trouble to do sthThey didn’t bother to ask me what I thought. 他们没有费心问我怎么想。6  health problem 健康问题HURT/CAUSE PAIN if a medical problem troubles you, it causes you pain or problems 使疼痛，使不舒服 He is still being troubled by an ankle injury. 他依然受脚踝伤病的困扰。7  cause problems 引起麻烦 to cause someone problems or difficulties 引起…麻烦 They look good enough to trouble most teams in the competition. 他们看起来状态很好，足以使大多数的参赛队头疼。→ See Verb table

Examples 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

troub·le1 noun →n GRAMMAR1 →COLLOCATIONS1trouble2 verb →REGISTER1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable  

difficulties problems or Corpus

trouble

I

troub‧le¹ S1 W2 /ˈtrʌbəl/ noun1.  PROBLEMS  [uncountable] (also troubles [plural]) problems or difficulties
    trouble with
    We’re having a lot of trouble with the new computer system.
    Recent stock market losses point to trouble ahead.
2.  BAD POINT  [singular] 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.  BAD SITUATION in/into/out of trouble
  a. if someone or something is in trouble, they are in a situation with a lot of problems:
    He admitted that their marriage was in trouble.
    get/run into trouble
    The company ran into trouble when it tried to expand too quickly.
    in serious/deep trouble
    The economy was in serious trouble.
    the dangers of trying to borrow your way out of trouble
  b. if someone is in trouble, they have done something which someone will punish them for or be angry about
    in deep/big trouble
    We’ll be in big trouble if Mr Elliott finds out.
    in trouble with somebody
    I think I’m in trouble with Dad.
    I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to get into trouble.
    keep/stay out of trouble
    I hope Tim stays out of trouble this year.
4.  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] an amount of effort and time that is needed to do something
    take 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 trouble used to say politely that you are happy to do something for someone:
    ‘Are you sure you don’t mind?’ ‘It’s no trouble.’
    The kids were no trouble (=used to say you were happy to look after them because they were well-behaved).
8.  HEALTH  [uncountable] a problem that you have with your health:
    He has trouble with his breathing.
    heart/stomach/skin etc trouble
    He suffers from back trouble.
9.  MACHINE/SYSTEM  [uncountable] when something is wrong with a machine, vehicle, or system:
    engine trouble
    trouble with
    He had to retire from the race because of trouble with the gearbox.
     
GRAMMAR
  Trouble.is usually an uncountable noun. Never say 'a trouble':
  ▪ Are you having trouble (NOT a trouble) with your car?
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ verbs
   ▪ have trouble He is having trouble getting his message across to the voters.
   ▪ have no trouble We had no trouble finding her house.
   ▪ cause trouble I hope the delay hasn’t caused you any trouble.
   ▪ there is trouble There 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 trouble We avoid trouble by planning carefully.
■ adjectives
   ▪ big/great trouble High interest rates spell big trouble for homeowners.
   ▪ terrible trouble I’ve been having terrible trouble sleeping.
   ▪ endless trouble (=a lot of trouble) They had endless trouble with the water supply.
   ▪ serious trouble I 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.
■ phrases
   ▪ what the trouble is A 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.

II

trouble² verb [transitive]1.  WORRY 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 formal 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 you spoken formal used when politely asking someone to do something for you or give you something:
    Sorry to trouble you, but could you tell me the way to the station, please?
    May I trouble you for the salt?
4. don’t trouble yourself spoken used to politely tell someone not to help you:
    Please don’t trouble yourself. I can manage.
5. not trouble to do something to not do something because it needs too much effort:
    They never troubled to ask me what I would like.
    Luke didn’t trouble to hide his disgust.
  REGISTER
    In everyday English, people usually say not bother to do something rather than not trouble to do something:
   ▪ They didn’t bother to ask me what I thought.
6.  HEALTH PROBLEM 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.