trouble

Everyday

1. Problems, difficulty or worry: «I had trouble with my homework». tree →
2. A situation where you might be told off or punished: «You'll be in trouble». tree →
3. A situation of danger: a ship in trouble. tree →
4. Effort or bother: «It's no trouble». tree →
5. Verb: to worry someone or to bother them: «Sorry to trouble you». tree →

In the lessons

In stories: trouble is the problem in the middle of the plot. In everyday life and safety: if you are in trouble (lost, hurt, frightened), find a trusted adult or call for help; a swimmer in trouble waves an arm. In feelings: telling an adult is not «getting someone into trouble» if it keeps people safe. Phrases: in trouble, get into trouble, have trouble with, the trouble is, no trouble, troublemaker, cause trouble.

Examples

• I'm having trouble with this sum. tree →
• You'll get into trouble if you're late. tree →
• The swimmer was in trouble, so the lifeguard helped. tree →
• It's no trouble — I'm happy to help. tree →
• The trouble is, I lost the key. tree →
• Sorry to trouble you, but where is the station? tree →
• If you're in trouble, call 999 in the UK or 911 in the USA. tree →
• Telling an adult about bullying is not snitching — it stops the trouble. tree →
• But why should that trouble you? tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable: «a lot of trouble», not «troubles» in most uses. «Have trouble doing» (have trouble sleeping). Say «TRUB-ul». «Troublesome» = causing problems.

In Jewish tradition

Trouble means distress and hardship. In the Psalms and Job it is the time of danger and suffering when a person cries out to God. In Moses' words it also means to burden or weary someone.

Interpretation. The Psalms treat times of trouble as the moment to call on God for rescue, and ask Him to redeem Israel from all its troubles.

Examples

• Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they trouble me with their weeping, saying: Give us flesh, that we may eat. (Torah NUM.11.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• 19) The word ענג signifies joy, and when transposed, forming the word נגע it signifies just the contrary, trouble, plague. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble? (Writings PSA.10.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. (Writings PSA.25.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• Will God hear his cry, when trouble cometh upon him? (Writings JOB.27.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable: «a lot of trouble», not «troubles» in most uses. «Have trouble doing» (have trouble sleeping). Say «TRUB-ul». «Troublesome» = causing problems.