目めの上うえのこぶ

め

の

う

え

の

こ

ぶ

Meanings

1

expression, noun

thorn in one's side; pain in the neck; nuisance

idiomatic expression

Idiomatic expression referring to someone who is a constant source of irritation or obstacle, often a superior or someone more capable. Literally 'a bump above one's eye'.

彼かれは私わたしにとって目めの上うえのこぶのような存そん在ざいだ。
He is like a thorn in my side.

あの先せん輩ぱいはまさに目めの上うえのこぶで、いつも口くち出だししてくる。

That senior colleague is a real pain in the neck, always butting in.

Written forms

目めの上うえのこぶ
Common spelling using kana for こぶ; the kanji 瘤 is also used but less frequent.
目めの上うえの瘤こぶ
Kanji spelling for こぶ; less common but still encountered.

Kanji

目eye, class, look
上above, up
瘤lump, swelling

Similar words

邪じゃ魔ま者もの
邪魔者 is a more direct term for an obstructive person, while 目の上のこぶ carries a nuance of persistent irritation, often from someone in a higher position.
目めの上うえのたんこぶ
A variant with たんこぶ (bump, swelling) instead of こぶ; essentially the same meaning and usage.

Etymology

The phrase literally means 'a bump above the eye,' metaphorically representing something constantly in one's field of vision and causing discomfort, much like an irritating person one cannot ignore.