bane of someone's life
Persistent source of misery
The bane of someone's life is a person or thing that causes persistent misery or annoyance: My commute is the bane of my life.
Bane originally meant killer or poison—something that destroys—but in this phrase it's usually hyperbolic, describing ongoing irritations rather than genuine threats: That photocopier is the bane of my existence.
- cross to bearPersistent personal burden
- traffic jamsRoad congestion events
- pain in the neckPersistent source of annoyance
- miseryIntense prolonged distress
- Achilles' heelCritical personal weakness
deadlines · scourge · despair · irritation · monkey on one's back · vexation · bête noire · bureaucracy · bugbear · exasperation · pests · anguish · stress · nemesis · health issues · resentment · albatross around one's neck · thorn in one's side
bane of someone's lifeblessing
Prayer seeking divine favor
pride and joy · apple of someone's eye · treasure · delight · godsend
bane of someone's lifelifesaver
Emergency rescue person
rock · anchor · support · pillar of strength · helping hand
bane of someone's liferaison d'être
Reason for being
lifeline · anchor · rock · pillar of strength · guiding light