Phrase guide

spot of bother

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈspɒt əv ˈbɒðə(ɹ)/
  • General-American: /ˈspɑt əv ˈbɑðɚ/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A slight problem; a small predicament.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I had a spot of bother with a sticky key on my keyboard.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ass in a sling, bind, bucket of syrup, calvary, cauldron, cross, cross to bear, difficulty, dilemma, dire straits, doghouse, fix, hole, jam, kettle, kettle of fish, ordeal, pickle, pinch, plight, predicament, quandary, quagmire, situation, spot, spot of bother, sticky situation, sticky wicket, tight spot, trouble

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: petit ennui — slight problem; small predicament
  • French: petit souci — slight problem; small predicament
  • Serbo-Croatian: mala nezgoda — slight problem; small predicament
  • Serbo-Croatian: mala neprilika — slight problem; small predicament