ときたら
Meanings
When it comes to X, X is [annoying/typical], X or this darn X, that or this blasted X
About this pattern
Explanation
ときたら is a colloquial, somewhat rude or irritated way to complain about someone’s behavior or a situation. It foregrounds the speaker’s exasperation and often implies that the thing being referenced is typical or characteristic in a negative sense. It’s used with people (often someone the speaker knows well) or sometimes with pets/children, and it tends to harshen the sentiment of the following clause. It is not neutral; it conveys frustration or blame and is most common in casual speech, among friends or family, or in venting contexts.
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Example sentences
My daughter, she forgets promises all the time—it's really a problem.
That boss of ours, as if a new meeting isn’t enough, he schedules it on a day when everything’s late.
This kid, he won’t do homework and just watches TV all the time.
Today, with this rain, I don’t even feel like going out.
Keep studying
More N1 patterns
from ... to ...; from start to finish; up to and including
View detailsNo matter how ~, it won't change the outcome; Even if ~, the result is still unlikely; Even though ~, it doesn't matter; it's futile to ~
View detailslike; similar to; as if; the same as
View detailsto be worthy of; to be enough for; to be sufficient
View detailsextreme; extremely; unbearably; to an extreme degree
View detailsEven though; Even if; Although; Despite
View details