"pull teeth" in Chinese (Simplified)

• 拔牙
• 非常困难的事（比喻用法）

Definition

字面意思是拔牙，更常用于形容某事非常困难、令人不快或需要很大努力，比如让某人做事。

Usage Notes (Chinese (Simplified))

多为口语或比喻用法，尤指“like pulling teeth”表示谈判或劝说很难。在正式书面语中应避免，除非讲牙科。

Examples

It shouldn't be pulling teeth to get everyone to participate.

让大家参与不应该像**拔牙**一样困难。

Trying to get a straight answer from him was like pulling teeth.

想让他给个明确答复简直就是在**拔牙**。

Convincing my kids to eat vegetables is always pulling teeth.

让我的孩子们吃蔬菜总是像**拔牙**一样难。

The dentist will pull teeth if they are too damaged.

如果牙齿坏得太厉害，牙医会**拔牙**。

Getting my brother to clean his room is like pulling teeth.

让我的哥哥打扫房间就像在**拔牙**一样难。

Getting the whole team to agree on one idea was basically pulling teeth.

让整个团队统一意见简直就是在**拔牙**。