Sometimes people feel hurt, either in their body or in their heart. When this happens, they may use special phrases to talk about the pain. These phrases are called idioms. Idioms are not meant to be taken word for word. They help us show feelings in a stronger or clearer way.
In this article, you will learn idioms people use when they are in pain. These might be used when someone gets hurt, feels sad, or goes through a tough time. You’ll read what each idiom means and see it used in real-life situations. This can help you understand others better and use these phrases yourself when speaking or writing.
Idioms for Pain
1. Ache like a toothache
Meaning: A sharp or constant pain that is hard to ignore.
Sample Sentences: My leg ached like a toothache after running all day. / Her head ached like a toothache after the loud music.
Other Way to Say: Sharp pain / Constant hurt
2. Pain in the neck
Meaning: Something or someone that causes trouble or annoyance.
Sample Sentences: This homework is a real pain in the neck. / My little brother can be a pain in the neck when he’s noisy.
Other Way to Say: Annoying / Troublesome
3. Break someone’s heart
Meaning: To cause someone deep emotional pain or sadness.
Sample Sentences: It broke her heart when her dog ran away. / He felt like his heart was broken after losing the game.
Other Way to Say: Make someone sad / Hurt someone’s feelings
4. Hurt like the dickens
Meaning: To hurt a lot or very badly.
Sample Sentences: My knee hurt like the dickens after falling off the bike. / That scratch hurts like the dickens!
Other Way to Say: Hurt badly / Hurt a lot
5. In agony
Meaning: Feeling very strong pain or suffering.
Sample Sentences: She was in agony after stubbing her toe. / The athlete was in agony after twisting his ankle.
Other Way to Say: Very painful / Extreme pain
6. Hurt to the bone
Meaning: Pain that feels very deep and strong.
Sample Sentences: His broken arm hurt to the bone. / After the accident, the pain went hurt to the bone.
Other Way to Say: Deep pain / Strong pain
7. Feel the burn
Meaning: To feel a sharp pain, often in muscles after exercise.
Sample Sentences: I could feel the burn in my legs after running. / She felt the burn while doing push-ups.
Other Way to Say: Muscle pain / Sharp ache
8. Sharp pain
Meaning: A sudden and intense pain.
Sample Sentences: I felt a sharp pain in my side during the race. / He had a sharp pain in his back after lifting the box.
Other Way to Say: Sudden hurt / Intense pain
9. Sting like a bee
Meaning: A quick, sharp pain like a bee sting.
Sample Sentences: The cut on my finger stung like a bee. / The cold water stung like a bee on my skin.
Other Way to Say: Quick sting / Sharp sting
10. Hurt like a bruise
Meaning: A dull, sore pain that lasts after getting hurt.
Sample Sentences: My leg hurts like a bruise from playing soccer. / That bump on your arm will hurt like a bruise for days.
Other Way to Say: Sore pain / Lingering hurt
11. Feel sore all over
Meaning: To have pain in many parts of the body.
Sample Sentences: After the hike, I felt sore all over. / She was sore all over after helping in the garden.
Other Way to Say: Aching everywhere / Body pain
12. Throbbing pain
Meaning: A pain that beats or pulses.
Sample Sentences: My head had a throbbing pain after the loud noise. / His foot was throbbing after he hit it.
Other Way to Say: Pulsing pain / Beating hurt
13. Hurts like crazy
Meaning: Very painful.
Sample Sentences: My stomach hurts like crazy after eating too much. / The fall hurt like crazy!
Other Way to Say: Very painful / Hurts a lot
14. Aching muscles
Meaning: Muscles that feel sore or painful.
Sample Sentences: After gym class, I had aching muscles. / Her muscles were aching after swimming.
Other Way to Say: Sore muscles / Muscle pain
15. Pain that won’t quit
Meaning: Pain that lasts a long time and doesn’t stop.
Sample Sentences: The toothache was a pain that wouldn’t quit. / His injury caused pain that wouldn’t quit for days.
Other Way to Say: Ongoing pain / Never-ending hurt
16. Hurt like a knife
Meaning: A sharp and strong pain, like being cut by a knife.
Sample Sentences: The fall hurt like a knife in my side. / The cold wind hurt like a knife on my face.
Other Way to Say: Sharp pain / Cutting hurt
17. Feel pain shooting through
Meaning: A quick and strong pain moving through the body.
Sample Sentences: Pain shot through my leg when I twisted it. / She felt pain shooting through her arm after the hit.
Other Way to Say: Sharp pain / Sudden hurt
18. Hurt all over
Meaning: Pain in many parts of the body.
Sample Sentences: After playing all day, I hurt all over. / She hurt all over after falling off her bike.
Other Way to Say: Aching everywhere / Body hurts
19. Pain that burns
Meaning: A pain that feels hot or burning.
Sample Sentences: The sunburn caused pain that burns on my skin. / The cut felt like pain that burns.
Other Way to Say: Burning hurt / Hot pain
20. Hurts like a punch
Meaning: A pain that feels like being hit hard.
Sample Sentences: His stomach hurt like a punch after the fall. / The ball hit me and it hurt like a punch.
Other Way to Say: Hard pain / Strong hurt
21. Pain that gnaws
Meaning: A pain that feels like it’s slowly eating away.
Sample Sentences: The toothache gnawed at her all night. / His stomach pain gnawed at him after eating too much.
Other Way to Say: Slow pain / Constant hurt
22. Hurt like a sprain
Meaning: Pain from twisting or stretching a part of the body.
Sample Sentences: I hurt like a sprain after jumping off the curb. / Her ankle hurt like a sprain after the game.
Other Way to Say: Twisted pain / Joint hurt
23. Feel pain deep inside
Meaning: Pain that feels very deep in the body.
Sample Sentences: The illness made him feel pain deep inside. / She felt pain deep inside her chest.
Other Way to Say: Deep pain / Inner hurt
24. Hurt like a stubbed toe
Meaning: A sudden sharp pain from hitting your toe.
Sample Sentences: I hurt like a stubbed toe when I kicked the chair. / His toe hurt like a stubbed toe after the accident.
Other Way to Say: Sharp toe pain / Sudden hurt
25. Pain that lingers
Meaning: Pain that stays for a long time.
Sample Sentences: The sore back pain lingered after the fall. / Her headache pain lingered all day.
Other Way to Say: Lasting pain / Slow healing pain
26. Hurts like a bee sting
Meaning: A quick, sharp, and burning pain.
Sample Sentences: The cut on my arm hurt like a bee sting. / The cold water felt like a bee sting on my skin.
Other Way to Say: Quick sting / Sharp hurt
27. Hurt like a slap
Meaning: Pain that feels like being hit or slapped.
Sample Sentences: The surprise made her feel like a slap hurt inside. / The cold wind hurt like a slap on my face.
Other Way to Say: Hard pain / Quick hit
28. Pain that pulses
Meaning: Pain that comes and goes like a beat.
Sample Sentences: My head pulsed with pain after the loud noise. / The tooth pulsed with pain all night.
Other Way to Say: Throbbing pain / Beating hurt
29. Hurt like being burned
Meaning: Pain that feels hot or like a burn.
Sample Sentences: The sunburn made my skin hurt like being burned. / The fire made him hurt like being burned.
Other Way to Say: Burning pain / Hot hurt
30. Pain that grips
Meaning: Pain that feels strong and tight.
Sample Sentences: The cramp gripped my leg tightly. / He felt pain grip his chest after running.
Other Way to Say: Tight pain / Strong hurt
31. Hurt like a charley horse
Meaning: A sudden painful cramp in the muscles.
Sample Sentences: I got hurt like a charley horse after sitting too long. / His leg hurt like a charley horse during the race.
Other Way to Say: Muscle cramp / Sudden muscle pain
32. Feel pain creeping up
Meaning: Pain that slowly gets worse over time.
Sample Sentences: The soreness was creeping up in my back after the game. / She felt pain creeping up her arm after the fall.
Other Way to Say: Gradual pain / Increasing hurt
33. Hurts like a blister
Meaning: A painful, sore bump caused by rubbing or pressure.
Sample Sentences: My foot hurts like a blister from new shoes. / The blister on her hand hurt all day.
Other Way to Say: Sore bump / Painful swelling
34. Hurt like a headache
Meaning: A continuous pain in the head.
Sample Sentences: My head hurt like a headache after the test. / She felt hurt like a headache after staying up late.
Other Way to Say: Head pain / Aching head
35. Pain like a stab
Meaning: A quick and sharp pain that feels like being stabbed.
Sample Sentences: I felt pain like a stab when I tripped. / Her chest hurt like a stab during the cold.
Other Way to Say: Sharp pain / Sudden hurt
36. Hurts like a slap in the face
Meaning: Pain or shock that feels very strong and sudden.
Sample Sentences: Losing the game felt like a slap in the face. / The bad news hit him like a slap in the face.
Other Way to Say: Strong shock / Sudden pain
37. Hurt like a pulled muscle
Meaning: Pain from overstretching a muscle.
Sample Sentences: His arm hurt like a pulled muscle after the game. / She hurt like a pulled muscle while running.
Other Way to Say: Muscle strain / Sore muscle
38. Feel pain shooting down
Meaning: Pain that moves quickly down a part of the body.
Sample Sentences: Pain shot down my leg after I twisted it. / She felt pain shooting down her arm after the fall.
Other Way to Say: Sharp pain / Sudden hurt
39. Hurts like a splinter
Meaning: A small sharp pain caused by a tiny piece stuck in the skin.
Sample Sentences: My finger hurt like a splinter after touching the wood. / She had pain like a splinter in her foot.
Other Way to Say: Small sharp pain / Tiny hurt
40. Pain that burns like fire
Meaning: Pain that feels hot and strong like fire.
Sample Sentences: The burn on his hand felt like pain that burns like fire. / Her skin hurt like fire after the sunburn.
Other Way to Say: Burning pain / Hot hurt
41. Hurts like a stubbed toe
Meaning: A sudden sharp pain from hitting the toe.
Sample Sentences: I hurt like a stubbed toe when I kicked the chair. / His toe hurt badly like a stubbed toe.
Other Way to Say: Sharp pain / Sudden hurt
42. Pain that aches and throbs
Meaning: Pain that is steady but also comes in waves.
Sample Sentences: My tooth ached and throbbed all night. / She felt pain that aches and throbs in her head.
Other Way to Say: Pulsing pain / Steady hurt
43. Hurt like getting punched
Meaning: Pain that feels like being hit hard.
Sample Sentences: The ball hit me and hurt like getting punched. / His arm hurt like getting punched after the fall.
Other Way to Say: Strong pain / Hard hurt
44. Pain that sticks around
Meaning: Pain that stays for a long time.
Sample Sentences: My sore back pain stuck around for days. / Her headache pain stuck around all morning.
Other Way to Say: Lasting pain / Persistent hurt
45. Hurts like a scraped knee
Meaning: A painful skin injury from falling or scraping.
Sample Sentences: My knee hurts like a scraped knee after falling off my bike. / She hurt like a scraped knee after tripping.
Other Way to Say: Skin pain / Scratch hurt
46. Pain that bites
Meaning: A pain that feels sharp and sudden, like a bite.
Sample Sentences: The cold wind bit like pain that bites on my face. / The cut hurt like pain that bites.
Other Way to Say: Sharp pain / Quick hurt
47. Hurts like a muscle cramp
Meaning: A sudden, tight pain in a muscle.
Sample Sentences: My leg hurts like a muscle cramp after running. / She had pain like a muscle cramp in her arm.
Other Way to Say: Tight pain / Muscle spasm
48. Pain that stings and burns
Meaning: Pain that feels sharp and hot at the same time.
Sample Sentences: The cut on my hand stings and burns a lot. / Her sunburn made her skin sting and burn.
Other Way to Say: Sharp and hot pain / Burning sting
49. Hurts like a twisted ankle
Meaning: Pain from turning or twisting the ankle badly.
Sample Sentences: He hurt like a twisted ankle after jumping off the curb. / My ankle hurt like a twisted ankle after the fall.
Other Way to Say: Sprained pain / Joint hurt
50. Pain that spreads
Meaning: Pain that moves from one place to another.
Sample Sentences: The pain spread from my finger to my hand. / She felt pain spread down her leg after the fall.
Other Way to Say: Moving pain / Spreading hurt
51. Hurts like a pulled tendon
Meaning: Pain from stretching or hurting a tendon.
Sample Sentences: His arm hurt like a pulled tendon after the game. / She had pain like a pulled tendon in her leg.
Other Way to Say: Tendon pain / Muscle hurt
52. Pain that comes and goes
Meaning: Pain that appears sometimes, then stops, then returns.
Sample Sentences: My headache came and went all day. / The pain in my leg comes and goes after running.
Other Way to Say: Intermittent pain / On and off hurt
53. Hurts like a needle prick
Meaning: A small, sharp pain like a quick poke.
Sample Sentences: The shot hurt like a needle prick. / Her finger hurt like a needle prick after the injection.
Other Way to Say: Sharp poke / Quick sting
54. Pain that pounds
Meaning: A strong pain that feels like a beating or pounding.
Sample Sentences: My head pounded with pain after the loud noise. / She felt her heart pound with pain after the fall.
Other Way to Say: Throbbing pain / Beating hurt
55. Hurts like a twisted muscle
Meaning: Pain from twisting or hurting a muscle.
Sample Sentences: My back hurt like a twisted muscle after moving the couch. / She hurt like a twisted muscle after the workout.
Other Way to Say: Muscle pain / Strained muscle
Multiple Choice Questions: Idioms for Pain
1. What does “a pain in the neck” mean?
A) Someone who helps a lot
B) Someone who is very annoying
C) Someone with a sore neck
2. If you’re “feeling blue,” what are you feeling?
A) Tired after gym class
B) Cold from being outside
C) Sad or upset
3. What does it mean if something “hit me like a ton of bricks”?
A) It was very funny
B) It happened slowly
C) It felt sudden and upsetting
4. “Like pulling teeth” means something is…
A) Easy and fun
B) Slow and painful
C) Quick and simple
5. If someone is “on their last nerve,” how are they feeling?
A) Very happy
B) About to lose patience
C) Ready to take a nap
6. What does “cry your heart out” mean?
A) Laugh a lot
B) Cry very hard
C) Yell at someone
7. If a friend “stabbed you in the back,” what did they do?
A) Gave you a gift
B) Helped you with school
C) Hurt you after acting like a friend
8. “Rub salt in the wound” means to…
A) Make someone feel better
B) Make a bad situation worse
C) Help a wound heal
9. What does it mean to have “a heavy heart”?
A) You’re full from lunch
B) You’re feeling really sad
C) You’re feeling excited
10. “Down in the dumps” means you are…
A) Playing outside
B) Cleaning your room
C) Feeling sad or low
11. If something “cut to the bone,” it…
A) Made you laugh
B) Hurt you deeply
C) Was about cooking
12. What does “take a toll” mean?
A) Helps you feel better
B) Slowly causes harm or pain
C) Happens only once
Answer Key
- B) Someone who is very annoying
- C) Sad or upset
- C) It felt sudden and upsetting
- B) Slow and painful
- B) About to lose patience
- B) Cry very hard
- C) Hurt you after acting like a friend
- B) Make a bad situation worse
- B) You’re feeling really sad
- C) Feeling sad or low
- B) Hurt you deeply
- B) Slowly causes harm or pain
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master! You really know how people describe pain in everyday language.
- 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding pain idioms. Great job keep learning!
- 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there! You’re starting to understand, and that’s what matters.
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore idioms for pain together. Keep reading and practicing these will make more sense with time.
Conclusion
Idioms help us talk about pain in ways that feel real and honest. They can describe both physical hurt and feelings like sadness or frustration.
By learning these idioms, you can understand others better and express yourself more clearly. Keep listening for them in books, shows, or daily conversations. They’re a helpful part of everyday language.
