Don't be pain in the ass vs Don't be a pain in the ass

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Don't be a pain in the ass' is the more common and idiomatic expression. It is used to tell someone not to be annoying or troublesome. On the other hand, 'Don't be pain in the ass' is grammatically correct but less common and sounds a bit more abrupt.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 4452 views

Don't be pain in the ass

This phrase is grammatically correct but less common and sounds more abrupt.

This phrase is used to tell someone not to be annoying or troublesome, but it is less common than the alternative with 'a'.

Show examples from the web [+]

Engage, but don't be a pain in the ass.
Howard, don't be a pain in the ass.
Now don't be a pain in the ass. I'm not your servant.
Look, I really don't want to be a pain in the ass.
Don't mean to be a pain in the ass, Cal, but it's going to cost us money.
Look, I don't know who you are and I don't need... to know it, I'm too busy right now so, please, don't be a pain in the ass.
Look, walsh, I don't mean to be a pain in the ass, okay?
The calls got to be pain in the ass.
Robson, you pain in the ass.
Sounds like a real pain in the ass.
It's a pain in the ass.
No, sir, but I'm by myself, and looking after your kids is a pain in the ass l don't need.
Now, maybe she is a little pissant pain in the ass, But I don't think she's a murderer.
I don't usually hear "a pain in the ass" and "Merry Christmas" so close together.
The quarterback's a pain in the ass that you don't owe a damn thing to.
You're one pain in the ass I don't need.
And I go, "I know it's kind of a pain in the ass,"but I don't ask for much.
Don't sugarcoat it. I'm a big pain in the ass.
We have to be careful this evening, they'll be pains-in-the-ass about Michele Cavataio.
They should have stayed home, not be pains in the ass to Fascism!

Alternatives:

don't be a pain in the ass

Don't be a pain in the ass

This phrase is the more common and idiomatic expression used to tell someone not to be annoying or troublesome.

This phrase is commonly used to express annoyance or frustration with someone's behavior.

Show examples from the web [+]

Engage, but don't be a pain in the ass.
Howard, don't be a pain in the ass.
Now don't be a pain in the ass. I'm not your servant.
Look, I don't know who you are and I don't need... to know it, I'm too busy right now so, please, don't be a pain in the ass.
Look, I really don't want to be a pain in the ass.
Don't mean to be a pain in the ass, Cal, but it's going to cost us money.
Look, walsh, I don't mean to be a pain in the ass, okay?
I mean, Juliette Barnes can be a pain in the ass.
Yeah, some clients can be a pain in the ass.
Marriage can be a pain in the ass.
Long enough to be a pain in the ass.
I better enjoy myself the next few weeks, because you're going to be a pain in the ass attending.
I guess I might have to stick around to be a pain in the ass, then.
Jammer may be a pain in the ass, but he's no traitor.
No, I called him Salvo because I knew he'd be a pain in the ass like you.
To be perfectly frank, this Fred is getting to be a pain in the ass.
I know I can be a pain in the ass.
Now Castle can be a pain in the ass, but he thinks outside the box.
Marriage can be a pain in the ass.
I've known Ollie long enough to know that he can be a pain in the ass, so... I'll go talk to him.

Alternatives:

don't be a nuisance
don't be a bother
don't be a pain
don't be a pain in the neck
don't be a pain in the behind

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Don't be pain in the ass vs Don't be a pain in the ass