Efforts by the federal government to pre-empt state authority could prove nettlesome for consumers, the officials said.

But getting recognition from the rest of the world has proved nettlesome.

The 500-foot requirement could prove particularly nettlesome for a large number of the stores.

At a minimum, such an investigation would prove nettlesome in the middle of a Presidential campaign.

Mr. Perez's case is not the only one proving nettlesome for the department's reputation.

It was the electrical wires hanging overhead that proved particularly nettlesome.

But even a small number of determined fighters taking up arms in their houses could prove nettlesome to any force trying to take over Iraq.

That could prove particularly nettlesome to the challenger.

All of these questions have proved nettlesome for some consumers who have made their way in the managed care world.

And making these donations to local causes can sometimes prove nettlesome.