- Used to describe something that is extremely difficult, slow, and frustrating to do, especially obtaining information or cooperation from someone who is unwilling or reluctant.
Explanation
Origin
- Refers to the literal act of extracting a tooth, which was historically (before modern dentistry) a painful, difficult, and unpleasant process.
- The phrase vividly conveys the struggle and frustration involved in the task.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- A real pain in the neck/ass. (Describes something annoying/difficult)
- A nightmare. (A very difficult or unpleasant experience)
- Like getting blood from a stone. (Specifically for getting money or information from someone unwilling)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- A total fucking nightmare.
- Hard as hell.
Milder/Standard:
- It required considerable effort.
- It proved remarkably difficult.
- Obtaining cooperation was challenging.
Situational Appropriateness
- Mostly informal to semi-formal.
- The imagery is strong, so while acceptable in many professional contexts (especially among colleagues venting), it might be slightly too informal or graphic for very formal reports or high-level presentations. Use judgment based on audience.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The literal meaning is gruesome, but the metaphorical meaning of very difficult and frustrating is well-established and unlikely to be misunderstood in context.
Examples
- Getting him to talk about his feelings is like pulling teeth.
- Trying to get the kids to clean their room is like pulling teeth.
- Extracting the necessary data from their outdated system was like pulling teeth.
Dialogue
Teacher A: How did the parent-teacher interview with Mr. Jones go?
Teacher B: Ugh, it was like pulling teeth. He barely said a word, and getting him to discuss his son's progress was incredibly difficult.
Teacher A: He's always like that. Very reserved.
Teacher B: Tell me about it! I felt exhausted afterwards.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Trying to get a straight answer from customer service is like pulling teeth. 😩 #CustomerService #Frustrated
- Facebook Post: Spent all morning trying to get my toddler to eat vegetables. It was like pulling teeth! Any tips from other parents? #Parenting #ToddlerLife
- Reddit Comment: Getting my group project members to actually contribute? Like pulling teeth.
Response Patterns
- Oh, I know that feeling!
- That sounds incredibly frustrating.
- Why are they being so difficult?
- I can imagine!
- Persistence pays off... sometimes.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone describes something as like pulling teeth:
- The listener often expresses sympathy or shares a similar experience.
- They might ask why the task was so difficult or why the person was uncooperative.
- They might ask if the person eventually succeeded.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Used to describe the difficulty of a task or interaction that has already occurred or is ongoing.
Intonation
- Strong emphasis often on pulling teeth. It was like PULLING TEETH.
- Usually spoken with a tone of exasperation, frustration, or annoyance.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across all generations.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions.