You’ve probably seen someone on TikTok or Twitter say something like, “Math is the bane of my existence” or “This one mosquito is the bane of my existence.” But what does that even mean?
“Bane” is a pretty old word. It comes from a word that originally meant something deadly or harmful. People used to say “bane” when talking about something that caused pain or even death.
Now, it’s not usually that dramatic, but the idea is still kind of the same. When someone says something is the “bane of their existence,” they mean it’s the one thing that constantly annoys them, stresses them out, or just makes their life harder.
“The bane of my existence” = The thing that makes my life harder or more annoying.
It’s usually used in an exaggerated or funny way. People don’t literally mean it’s ruining their life — it’s more of a dramatic way to complain about something that’s really bothering them.
Examples You Might Hear
“Homework is the bane of my existence.”: This means: “I really hate doing homework. It stresses me out every time.”
“My little brother is the bane of my existence.” This means: “He annoys me all the time and I can’t catch a break.”
“Waking up early is the bane of my existence.”: This means: “I hate waking up early. It ruins my mornings.”
Why Do People Use It?
People use this phrase when something keeps showing up and making their life harder. It’s more expressive than just saying “I hate this” or “This sucks.” It makes your frustration sound a little more dramatic and emotional, and honestly, sometimes it’s just fun to say.
Also, saying “the bane of my existence” makes people feel understood. It’s like saying, “Hey, this is the one thing that never lets me live in peace.”