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complain

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complain about someone or something

to protest someone or something; to grouch about someone or something. Oh, stop complaining about the weather. You are always complaining about me.

See also: complain

complain of something

to moan and suffer from a disease; to report the symptoms of a disease or health condition. Kenneth complained of a headache and general weakness. The patient was complaining of a headache.

See also: complain, of

complain to someone

to grouch or protest to someone. Don't complain to me. I will complain to the manager.

See also: complain

(I) can't complain. and (I have) nothing to complain about.

Inf. a response to a greeting inquiry asking how one is or how things are going for one. Sue: How are things going? Mary: I can't complain. Mary: Hi, Fred! How are you doing? Fred: Nothing to complain about.

See also: and, complain, nothing

can't complain

(spoken)

to admit that things are mostly all right My job gives me a month's vacation, so I really can't complain.

See also: complain

can't complain

Used as a response meaning fairly good or well, to questions such as "How are you?" or "How is business?" For example, How've you been?-Can't complain. This term means that nothing serious is wrong. [Mid-1800s]

See also: complain