banes of one's existence
Life's persistent annoyances
Banes of one's existence are persistent sources of annoyance, frustration, or misery in someone's life.
A bane is something that causes distress or ruin, so the phrase dramatizes everyday irritants as if they were poisons or curses: Telemarketers and pop-up ads are the banes of my existence.
The singular form is more common.
- purposelessnessState of lacking intention
- noise pollutionHarmful environmental sound
- loud chewingAudible eating sounds
- slow wifiSluggish internet connection
- junk mailUnsolicited commercial correspondence
parking tickets · traffic jams · morning commute · stress · procrastination · betrayal · addiction · anxiety · jealousy · guilt · rejection · criticism · systemic inequality · bad weather · alienation · hopelessness · overthinking · clutter
banes of one's existenceblessings
Favors from the divine
delights · pleasures · comforts · bright spots · rays of sunshine
banes of one's existencetreasures
Prized possessions or valuables
blessings in disguise · gifts · raisons d'être · godsends · pride and joy
banes, existence, exist, exists, existed, existing, existent, existential, existentially