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Glite Dictionary
to have a problem

to have a problem

824 2.6
Find something difficult or annoying
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : tener un problema
  • If you have a problem with the project, please let me know.
  • have a problem with people
  • have a problem holding
  • know they have a problem

So if you feel that you have a problem, get help right away.

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Examples

Synonyms

to have a hard time
vsto have a problem
241 3.7

Find something difficult to do

experiences difficulty without implying strong struggle
to face an issue
vsto have a problem
3.3

To deal directly and openly with a problem

experiences difficulty without necessarily confronting it

How Successful

to succeed
846 2.0
to do well
520 1.2
to have a problem
824 2.6
to go wrong
495 2.4
to fail
898 1.0
to collapse
579 3.9

Surface Forms

have a problem infinitive
had a problem past
had a problem past participle
having a problem present participle
has a problem third person singular

Morphology

have + a + problem

The meaning ‘to experience a difficulty’ is directly and compositionally derived from 'have' (to experience/possess) plus 'problem' (a difficulty); the indefinite article 'a' does not change the semantics. This follows a common possessive/experiential pattern found across many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Have a problem comes from the simple image of carrying something heavy or awkward: to have a heavy thing called a problem gets in your way and makes tasks harder. So, saying you have a problem means you 'have trouble' with something.