teething troubles
B2Informal to neutral, common in business, technical, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Initial problems experienced when something new (e.g., a project, system, product) is starting or being used for the first time.
Refers to temporary difficulties or minor setbacks encountered during the early stages of any new venture, process, or period of adjustment. Implies these issues are expected and will likely be resolved.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is an idiom, always plural. It carries a slightly metaphorical tone, comparing initial problems of a new thing to the pain an infant feels when its first teeth come through. The phrase suggests problems are a normal part of a starting phase and not indicative of fundamental failure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally common and understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly positive connotation of optimism—implies problems are temporary and solvable. More common in spoken and business English than in highly formal writing.
Frequency
Moderately common in both varieties, perhaps slightly more frequent in UK English in general media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] has/had/experienced teething troublesThe teething troubles with [new thing] were resolved.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “growing pains”
- “birthing pains”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Commonly used to describe problems with a new software system, company process, or product launch. e.g., 'We expect some teething troubles with the new CRM platform.'
Academic
Rare, but can be used metaphorically in social sciences or history to describe initial instability of a new policy or institution.
Everyday
Used for new appliances, cars, routines, or even relationships during an adjustment period. e.g., 'Our new washing machine has a few teething troubles.'
Technical
Used in engineering, IT, and project management to refer to bugs or flaws discovered during the initial operational phase.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The train line's electrification has been delayed by the usual teething troubles.
- After a few teething troubles, the new canteen service is running smoothly.
American English
- The software rollout had significant teething troubles for the first week.
- Don't worry, these are just teething troubles with the new manufacturing process.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Our new coffee machine has some teething troubles, but it makes great coffee.
- The company had teething troubles when it first started.
- Despite the inevitable teething troubles, the new airport terminal opened on schedule.
- The development team is working hard to iron out the teething troubles in the latest update.
- The policy's implementation was hampered not by design flaws but by predictable administrative teething troubles.
- Analysts dismissed the supply chain disruptions as mere teething troubles for the nascent electric vehicle sector.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a baby TEETHING—it's painful, fussy, but temporary and natural. New projects have similar temporary, painful early problems.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NEW VENTURE IS AN INFANT (experiences initial painful but natural growth processes).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'проблемы прорезывания зубов' which is nonsense in this context. The correct equivalent is 'первоначальные трудности', 'проблемы запуска', or 'детские болезни' (a direct calque of the German equivalent 'Kinderkrankheiten', sometimes used in technical contexts).
Common Mistakes
- Using singular 'teething trouble' (always plural).
- Using it for major, fundamental failures (it implies minor/temporary issues).
- Misspelling as 'teething problems' (acceptable variant, but 'troubles' is the fixed idiom).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following situations best describes 'teething troubles'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'teething problems' is a common and acceptable variant with identical meaning. The fixed idiom, however, is 'teething troubles'.
Yes, metaphorically. It can describe initial difficulties in a new relationship, job, or living situation, e.g., 'We had some teething troubles when we first moved in together.'
It is neutral to informal. It's common in business and technical reports but might be replaced with 'initial operational difficulties' or 'start-up issues' in very formal documents.
It refers to a set or series of minor problems, not a single issue. The plural form 'troubles' is idiomatic and fixed in this expression.