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in trouble — experiencing difficulties, problems, or facing punishment

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: experiencing difficulties, problems, or facing punishment

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪn ˈtrʌbl/

Example Sentences

  • My phone battery died during the exam, and now I'm in trouble with the teacher.
  • The cat is in trouble for knocking over the vase.
  • If you don't submit your homework, you'll be in trouble.

in trouble

NOUN

[/ɪn ˈtrʌbl/]

experiencing difficulties, problems, or facing punishment

The driver was in trouble when his car broke down and smoke poured from the engine.
💡 Concept

The driver was in trouble when his car broke down and smoke poured from the engine.

The explorer was in trouble after his leg became caught in the giant steel trap.
🧠 Mnemonic

The explorer was in trouble after his leg became caught in the giant steel trap.

The bubble grew to double its size, and the boy was suddenly in trouble as foam flooded the bathroom.
🎵 Rhyme

The bubble grew to double its size, and the boy was suddenly in trouble as foam flooded the bathroom.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɪn ˈtrʌbl/
🇬🇧 UK/ɪn ˈtrʌbl/

🌳Etymology

Origin

The word 'trouble' derives from Old French 'trobler', which originally meant 'to make water turbid or murky'. The meaning evolved metaphorically from the literal act of clouding clear water to disturbing or disrupting a peaceful situation, eventually coming to denote difficulty or distress.

Breakdown

trobler (Old French: to make turbid, from Vulgar Latin turbulare, related to turba meaning crowd or disturbance) → trouble (to disturb, to cause difficulty)

🎵Rhyme

double
bubble
rubble

🔗Collocations

get in trouble
be in big trouble
in serious trouble
stay out of trouble
trouble with the law
financial trouble

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My phone battery died during the exam, and now I'm in trouble with the teacher.”

😄 Fun example

“The cat is in trouble for knocking over the vase.”

“If you don't submit your homework, you'll be in trouble.”

“The company is in financial trouble due to poor sales.”

📚Related Words

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