Reverse Dictionary: PROBLEM

ADJECTIVES & ADVERBS
► FUNNY difficult, problematic, out of the ordinary → L19 sl.
► IN A BAD WAY suffering problems or difficulties, in trouble → L19 sl.
► IN A KNOT in a predicament or difficult situation; having problems → 1996 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► IN A MIX confused and having problems, worries, or troubles → 1996 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► IN A PICKLE in a predicament or difficult situation; having problems → a1620
► IN ARSEHOLE STREET in difficulties, facing problems → 1950s sl.
► IN THE SAME BOX sharing the same problems → M19 sl.
► NAUGHTY disturbing, problematic → 1978 sl.
► ON OFFER liable to problems → 1940s sl.
► ONKUS out of order, problematic → 1949 Aust. & NZ sl.
► UP A GUMTREE in difficulties; having problems, in trouble → 1926 Aust. sl.
► UP AGAINST facing problems, in difficulties → 1896 sl., orig. US
► UP AGAINST THE BIT facing serious problems → 1910s sl., orig. military
► UP AGAINST THE GUN facing serious problems → 1910s sl., orig. military
► UP AGAINST THE ROPES facing serious problems → 1910s sl., orig. military
► UP AGAINST THE WALL facing serious problems → 1910s sl., orig. military
► UP AGAINST THE WIRE facing serious problems → 1910s sl., orig. military
► UP ARSEHOLE STREET in difficulties, facing problems → 1950s sl.
► UP THE CREEK ► UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE in trouble, facing problems → 1918 sl.
► UP THE SPOUT having problems; in a bad way, in a hopeless condition → 1829 sl.
► UP TO ONE’S ASS IN ALLIGATORS in very serious troubles, facing overwhelming problems → 1980s US sl.
► UP TO ONE’S ASS IN RATTLESNAKES in very serious troubles, facing overwhelming problems → 1980s US sl.
► UP TO ONE’S EARS IN ALLIGATORS in very serious troubles, facing overwhelming problems → 1980s US sl.
► UP TO ONE’S EARS IN RATTLESNAKES in very serious troubles, facing overwhelming problems → 1980s US sl.

NOUNS
► AG ► AGG  problems, trouble, annoyance → 1980s sl.
► AGGRO ► AGRO trouble, strife, problems; a nuisance → 1969 UK sl.
► AGONY problems, difficulties → M19 sl.
► ALBATROSS AROUND ONE’S NECK guilt, the haunting past, an unforgettable problem; a source of frustration or obstruction; a burden, an encumbrance; a hindrance → 1883
► BAD ROW OF STUMPS a difficult situation or problem → 1990 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► BAD SHIT serious problems → 2009 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BAG OF WORMS an intricate problem; a dilemma → 1990 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► BALL-TEARER a major problem; an exasperation → 1980s Aust. sl.
► BAND-AID something that provides a temporary solution to a problem → colloq.
► BIND a problem; a wrinkle → 2006 US sl. (Bk.)
► BIZZLE a problem or difficulty → 2005 African-American sl.
► BLIP a temporary problem effect, esp. one that is unwanted; a small, easily mended problem → 1975 UK sl.
► BLIVET in computing: a problem which cannot be solved; any impossibility → 1991 US sl.
► BONE IN THE THROPPLE, A a thorn in the side; something that constantly causes problems or trouble → 1871 Sc.
► BONE TO PICK WITH SOMEONE, A a dispute or problem to resolve with someone
► BONE-BREAKER an extremely difficult problem → 2009 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BRAIN BUSTER a particularly difficult problem or puzzle → 1924
► BRAIN-TEASER a difficult problem; a puzzle, often one designed as a challenge or for amusement → 1850
► BRAIN-TWISTER a difficult problem; a puzzle, often one designed as a challenge or for amusement → 1878
► BUN-BUSTER an extremely difficult, overwhelming, or punishing problem → 2009 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BUTT-BUSTER an extremely difficult, overwhelming, or punishing problem → 2009 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► CAN OF BEANS an unpleasant, complex, and unappetizing situation; an intertwined set of problems; an array of difficulties → 1940s sl., orig. US
► CAN OF PEAS an unpleasant, complex, and unappetizing situation; an intertwined set of problems; an array of difficulties → 1940s sl., orig. US
► CAN OF WORMS an unpleasant, complex, and unappetizing situation; an intertwined set of problems; an array of difficulties → 1940s sl., orig. US
► CLINKER a problem, a difficulty → 1960s US sl.
► CLOOGE a haphazard or makeshift solution to a problem; an ill-assorted collection of parts assembled to fulfill a particular purpose → 1960s sl.
► CONK-BUSTER ► KONK-BUSTER a hard-to-answer question or problem → 2006 US sl. (Bk.)
► CRUNCHER a critical or vital point; a difficult or decisive question or problem → 1947 colloq.
► DAMAGE a problem → 1988 US sl.
► DEAD problems, trouble → 20C W. Indies & Barbados sl.
► DEAL a problem, a conflict → 1990s US students’ sl.
► DUCK SHOVING the passing of a problem on to another → 1984 NZ sl.
► ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM a significant problem or controversial issue which is obviously present but ignored or avoided as a subject for discussion, usually because it is more comfortable to do so → 1984 
► FACER an unexpected problem or obstacle, anything to which one must face up → 1827 sl.
► FAKEMENT any action or problem → L19 sl.
► FALL problems, difficulties, a ‘fall from grace’ → 1919 sl.
► GUT-BUSTER an extremely difficult, overwhelming, or punishing problem → 2009 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► HASSLE trouble or annoyance caused by having to do something difficult; a problem, a difficulty; a quarrel, an argument; a fuss, a bother → 1945
► HEAVY SLEDDING a challenging problem → 2009 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► HELL WITH THE HIDE OFF trouble, problems → 1961 Amer. dial.
► HICCUP a temporary small problem or delay → 1965 sl., orig. US
► HIGH JUMP serious problems → 20C sl.
► HOT POTATO a difficult problem → 2006 US sl. (Bk.)
► HUMP any difficulty; a problem → 20C
► JOKER any thing or situation that poses a problem, a hidden catch → M19 US sl.
► KICKER a previously hidden or concealed difficulty or problem → 2009 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► KLUDGE a haphazard or makeshift solution to a problem; an ill-assorted collection of parts assembled to fulfill a particular purpose → 1960s sl.
► LITTLE RED WAGON a social problem → 1970 US sl. (Bk.)
► MAJOR MALFUNCTION a ludicrous or irritating source of difficulty, esp. a problem attributable to stupidity or incompetence → 1987 US military sl.
► MIND-BENDER a knotty problem; something that potently changes one’s thinking, such as drugs → 1974 sl.
► MIND-FUCKER a serious problem that tests one’s mental abilities; a trick meant to deceive, confound, or disturb → 2009 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► MONKEY ON ONE’S BACK any form of addiction or long-term problem → 1950s sl.
► NAUSE the problem, the annoying thing → 1977 Brit. sl.
► PALL a puzzle, a problem, a poser; something which brings one to a standstill → 1866 Sc.
► QUAESITE that which is sought for; the answer to a problem → 1655 obs.
► QUAESITUM that which is sought for; the answer to a problem → 1748
► QUAMS problems, worries → 2000s African-American sl.
► QUEEB any small problem, esp. mechanical → 1960s US teen sl.
► RAVELLED SKEIN a knotty problem, an involved situation → 1883 Sc.
► RED a difficult or problematic situation → 1990s W. Indies sl.
► RUNNING SORE a persistent problem; a constant nuisance or irritation → 1590
► SHIT CREEK an unpleasant, problematic situation → 1950s sl.
► TAR BABY a ‘sticky’ problem → 20C US sl.
► TEASER a difficult problem; a puzzle → 1830 
► TOUGH NUT TO CRACK, A a difficult problem → 1970s US sl.
► WRINKLE a defect or problem, esp. a minor one → 1643

NOUNS – PERSON
► BRIGHT SPARK a cheerful, alert person; a person of great intelligence, talent, or wit; a problem-solver, an innovator → 1872

PHRASES
► IT’S YOUR LITTLE RED WAGON it’s your problem → 1966 Amer. dial.
► NO FUSS, NO MUSS no problems, either practically or emotionally → 1927 US sl.
► SHIT COMES IN PILES problems always come at the same time, rather than one by one → 1990s African-American sl.
► THAT’S ONE UP AGAINST YOUR DUCKHOUSE said of a setback or problem → 1930s Aust. sl.
► THAT’S ONE UP AGAINST YOUR FOWLHOUSE said of a setback or problem → 1930s Aust. sl.
► WHAT’S YOUR BEEF? what’s your problem? → 1999 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► WHOSE MARE’S DEAD? what’s the matter? → L16 Brit. rural colloq.
► YOU CAN’T GET THERE FROM HERE the problem described is insoluble → 1930s

VERBS
► COME UP TAILS to find oneself in an unpleasant or problematic situation → 1970s US sl.
► DO SOMEONE A NASTY to do something unpleasant to someone; to cause someone trouble or problems → 1979 sl.
► FACE THE MUSIC to deal stoically with a problem or difficult situation → 1850 sl.
► FADE to put at a disadvantage, to cause problems for someone → L19 US sl.
► GET ONE’S LUMPS to accept and deal with one’s problems and setbacks → 1930s sl., orig. US
► NAUSE ► NOISE ► NOORSE to cause problems, to annoy, to ruin a plan → 1958 sl.
► SALT IT FOR SOMEONE to make problems for someone → 1910s sl.
► TAKE A COURSE WITH to cause problems for; to interfere with → E17 sl.
► TAKE ONE’S LUMPS to accept and deal with one’s problems and setbacks → 1930s sl., orig. US