Meaning & use
attitude problem
Last updated
Meaning
nounsingularinformaldisapproving
A habit of being rude, hostile or uncooperative, so that other people find someone difficult to deal with.
Grammar: Used with have or with a possessive: he has an attitude problem.
Patterns
- have an attitude problem
- someone's attitude problem
The coach dropped him because of his attitude problem.
She has an attitude problem and argues with everyone.
Skill alone will not help if you have an attitude problem.
Common combinations
- have an attitude problem
- The new waiter has an attitude problem.
- a serious attitude problem
- The player had a serious attitude problem.
- deal with an attitude problem
- The manager tried to deal with an attitude problem.
- a bit of an attitude problem
- He has a bit of an attitude problem.
- accuse someone of an attitude problem
- They accused him of an attitude problem.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bad attitude
- Bad attitude is slightly lighter and can describe a single mood, while attitude problem suggests a repeated pattern.
- chip on the shoulder
- Chip on the shoulder implies resentment over past unfair treatment.
- insubordination
- Insubordination is formal and refers to refusing orders, which is narrower.
- negativity
- Negativity is gloomy outlook rather than rude behavior.
Opposites
Word family
- attitude noun
- a way of thinking or feeling
- attitudinal adjective
- relating to attitudes
- problem noun
- a difficulty
- problematic adjective
- causing trouble
Commonly confused: attitude problem or attitude?
attitude problem vs attitude
Attitude alone can be positive or neutral, while attitude problem is always negative.
Practice
His boss warned him that his ___ was upsetting the whole team.
Choose one answer.
An attitude problem means rude behavior, which upsets a team. Aptitude test sounds similar but measures ability.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “attitude problem”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.