like a hole in one's head

English

Alternative forms

• like a hole in the head

Etymology

Calque of Yiddish װי אַ לאָך אין קאָפּ (vi a lokh in kop).

Prepositional phrase

like a hole in one's head

1. (informal, emphatic, postpositive) Absolutely not; used to describe how little one needs an undesirable thing or situation.
   • 2012, Scott Eyman, Print the Legend: The Life and Times of John Ford, page 470:

     Ford looked at him for a moment. “Fort Apache?” he asked. “Yes, Fort Apache,” said Clothier.
     “I need that goddamn sequence like I need a hole in my head,” grumbled Ford. “We'll shoot that whole goddamn thing over right here on the stage.”