monkey on one's back

monkey on one's back {n. phr.}, {informal}

An unsolved or nagging problem.

"My math course is a real monkey on my back," Jack complained.

Compare: ALBATROSS AROUND ONE'S NECK, MILLSTONE AROUND ONE'S NECK.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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albatross around one's neck

[albatross around one's neck] {n. phr.}, {literary} Guilt, the haunting past, an unforgettable problem. * /Even though it was an accident, John's father's death has been an albatross around John's […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

millstone around one's neck

[millstone around one's neck] {n. phr.} An intolerable burden. * /Max said that his old car was a millstone around his neck./ Compare: [MONKEY ON ONE'S BACK]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

back

[back] See: [BACK OF] or [IN BACK OF], [BEHIND ONE'S BACK], [BRUSH BACK], [COME BACK], [CUT BACK], [DOUBLE BACK], [DRAW BACK], [DROP BACK]. [EYES IN THE BACK OF ONE'S HEAD], […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

grease monkey

[grease monkey] {n.}, {slang} 1. A person who greases or works on machinery; a mechanic or worker in a garage or gasoline station. * /Hey, grease monkey, fill up my […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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