pulling teeth
Arduous, frustrating task
Pulling teeth describes something extremely difficult or tedious, especially when it involves extracting information or cooperation from reluctant people.
The image is of dental extraction before modern anesthesia—painful, slow, and requiring force: Getting him to talk about his feelings is like pulling teeth.
The interview was pulling teeth; she wouldn't give a straight answer.
Causing extreme suffering
- agonizingIntensely painful or distressing
- torturousCausing extreme pain
- unbearableImpossible to endure
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
throbbing · intense · severe · piercing · raw · sore · tender · wrenching
Demanding strenuous effort
- exhaustingDepleting one's stamina
- gruelingExtremely tiring and demanding
- strenuousRequiring intense exertion
- demandingRequiring great effort
challenging · tough · laborious · painstaking · toilsome · onerous · burdensome · Herculean
Intensely irritating
- irritatingCausing mild frustration
- infuriatingCausing extreme anger
- aggravatingCausing irritation or worsening
- maddeningCausing extreme frustration
vexing · annoying · tedious · monotonous · slow · dragging · plodding · repetitive
Persistent apprehensive distress
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- reluctanceDisinclination to act
hesitation · foreboding · unease · nervousness · aversion · avoidance · procrastination · cringing
excruciating
Causing extreme suffering
- agonizingIntensely painful or distressing
- torturousCausing extreme pain
- unbearableImpossible to endure
sharp · throbbing · intense · severe · piercing · raw · sore · tender · wrenching · extraction
arduous
Demanding strenuous effort
- exhaustingDepleting one's stamina
- gruelingExtremely tiring and demanding
- strenuousRequiring intense exertion
demanding · challenging · tough · laborious · painstaking · toilsome · onerous · burdensome · Herculean · taxing
exasperating
Intensely irritating
- irritatingCausing mild frustration
- infuriatingCausing extreme anger
- aggravatingCausing irritation or worsening
maddening · vexing · annoying · tedious · monotonous · slow · dragging · plodding · repetitive · tiresome
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
reluctance · hesitation · foreboding · unease · nervousness · aversion · avoidance · procrastination · cringing · wincing
pulling teetheffortless
Requiring no strain
a breeze · easy as pie · a walk in the park · smooth sailing · child's play
pulling teethforthcoming
Soon to appear
freely given · volunteered · pouring out · spilling the beans · cooperative
pulling teethenjoyable
Providing pleasure or fun
pleasant · rewarding · satisfying · gratifying · fun
pull, teeth, pulling, toothed, pulled, toothy, puller, pullers, pullable