Troublemaker or sweetheart: 15 things it means when a guy calls you trouble

Have you ever had a guy call you trouble? If so, you may be wondering what he meant by it.

Does he think you’re a troublemaker? Or does he see you as a sweetheart who gets into a little trouble sometimes?

In this article, we’ll explore 15 possible meanings of when a guy calls you trouble. We’ll also give you a few tips on how to respond if a guy calls you trouble.

1) You make him feel guilty or scared

When a guy calls you trouble, it could mean one of two things.

First,  he might see you as someone who’s always causing him problems. Maybe he feels like he has to walk on eggshells around you or that you’re always stirring up drama.

If he’s the type who doesn’t like conflict,  then this could be a big turnoff for him.

Alternatively, it could be that he’s guilty about something and is projecting his own feelings onto you.

What do I mean by this?

For example, let’s say he’s been cheating on you and he’s feeling guilty about it. He might start calling you trouble to make himself feel better.

Or let’s say he’s been neglecting you and he knows it. Again, by calling you trouble, he’s trying to ease his conscience.

In either case, if a guy calls you trouble, treat it as a red flag that something’s going on. You might want to ask him what he means by it or why he’s using that label for you

2) He’s being a jerk by trying to control you

Men who like control and feel the need to be in charge often use the word “trouble” as a way to control people.

For example, he might say something like, “You’re always causing trouble” or “Why do you have to be so difficult?”

In other words, he’s trying to make you feel like you’re to blame for things that go wrong. And he’s using the label “trouble” to assert his control over you.

Moreover, he manipulates you by making you feel guilty or ashamed. He wants you to think that it’s your fault when things go wrong between the two of you.

Now, here’s your chance to take back the power.

If a guy calls you trouble, don’t let him control you with his words. Instead, assert yourself and let him know that you’re not going to take the blame for things that aren’t your fault.

Besides, even if you’re causing some of the problems, that doesn’t mean he can just dismiss or ignore them. He needs to take responsibility for his own actions and words, too.

3) You’re a challenge to him

A guy calling you trouble may not mean a bad thing.

That’s because he could mean he’s not bored. He sees the challenge in you and it’s something that drives him.

In fact, it could be a compliment in disguise.

You see, men are driven by the hero instinct, a term coined by relationship expert James Bauer.

Let me explain: men have this innate desire to feel needed and to protect those they care about.

In this excellent free video here, James explains how men are driven by this deep internal need to be seen as strong and valuable, which is deeply rooted in their DNA.

And when you’re a challenge to him, it activates this hero instinct. He wants to step up to the challenge and prove himself to you.

As a result, he’s more likely to be drawn to you and to want to keep finding out more about you.

So, if you’re ever called “trouble,” take it as a good sign. It means you’re not boring him and that he sees the potential in you.

Click here to watch the free video.

4) You’re a troublemaker because he’s jealous

Jealousy can manifest in many ways, and one of them is by putting you down.

When a guy calls you trouble, it could be his way of expressing his jealousy.

He might be jealous of your success in your career, or he may be feeling threatened by your close relationships with people in his life, such as his best friend.

Here’s the deal: men, in general, are territorial creatures. They like to feel like they’re in charge and that they have a say in what goes on in their territory.

So, when you start crossing the line and doing things that make him feel like he’s not in control, it can trigger his jealousy.

And one way he might try to assert his control is by putting you down and making you feel like you’re the problem.

Therefore, if a guy calls you trouble and is also exhibiting other signs of jealousy, that’s probably what’s going on.

5) You’re fun to hang around

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One of the more positive meanings of when a guy calls you trouble is that he finds you fun.

When you’re always up for a good time and you’re always game for anything, it can be a turn-on for him.

He sees you as someone who knows how to enjoy life and who doesn’t take things too seriously all the time.

As a result, he enjoys being around you because you make him feel good.

Moreover, he finds your carefree attitude refreshing, and it’s something that he wants more of in his life.

In essence, men find that attractive in a woman. They want someone who can let loose and have a good time, without being uptight or stressed all the time.

6) You’re perceived as a high-maintenance woman

Being a high-maintenance woman can be a bad thing or a good thing, depending on who you ask.

Some men see high-maintenance women as pain because they’re always needing something and they’re never satisfied.

However, other men see high-maintenance women as a challenge. They view it as an opportunity to step up and show their worth.

It really boils down to how compatible you are with the guy in question.

If he’s the type of guy who likes a challenge and who enjoys being needed, then he probably doesn’t mind if you’re high maintenance.

In fact, he might even view it as a good thing.

However, if he’s not that type of guy, then he’s likely to call you trouble in the sense that he finds you to be a pain.

7) He’s addicted to relationships

Men who are addicted to relationships often seek out women who are troublemakers.

Why is that?

Because they crave the drama and excitement that comes with a tumultuous relationship.

Calling you trouble in this respect is a guy’s way of warning you that he’s not looking for anything serious.

In other words, he’s telling you upfront that he’s the type of guy who likes to keep things light and fun.

He doesn’t want any drama or conflict in his life, and he’s just looking for a woman who is okay with that.

So, if you’re the type of woman who’s looking for a serious and committed relationship, then this guy’s probably not the right guy for you.

And when he calls you trouble, what you can do is simply take it as a sign that you’ll most likely be a casual fling for him, rather than anything more serious.

8) He wants to get to know you better

Naturally, people make an effort to spend more time with someone they’re curious about.

So, if a guy calls you trouble, it might be because he wants to get to know you better.

Here’s the thing: when a guy’s interested in you, he’s going to find any excuse to talk to you and spend time with you.

And one way he might do that is by giving you a nickname like trouble.

It’s his way of breaking the ice and getting your attention. From there, he can start building a rapport with you and see if there’s any potential for something more.

That’s what Carlos Cavallo covers in his free video about getting men to commit.

As a relationship expert, he explains that guys are more about finding the perfect match than getting any girl to commit.

And if you seem to potentially be his perfect match, and you feel the same way, Carlo’s course can provide you with the tips and advice you need to make it happen.

Check it out here.

9) He’s testing you out to see how you’ll react

There could be a lot of responses when a guy calls you trouble.

You might get angry and confrontational, or you might play it cool and act like it doesn’t bother you.

Or, you might even flirt back and try to use it to your advantage.

Fact is, how you react can tell the guy a lot about you.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve known him since high school or you just met him at the bar last night.

If he calls you trouble, he’s most likely testing you out to see what kind of person you are and how you’ll react under pressure.

It’s human nature to want to know someone before moving forward and fully committing to them.

This guy’s just trying to get a better handle on who you are.

10) You’re called trouble because he finds you crazy

When a man calls you crazy, it’s usually not meant as a compliment.

In most cases, it’s simply an insult that’s meant to demean and belittle you.

However, there are some guys out there who actually think you may be crazy – in a good way.

To them, being crazy means being spontaneous and fun-loving. It means letting loose and not taking yourself too seriously.

So, if a guy calls you trouble and he means it in this sense, then he’s actually complimenting you.

He thinks you’re someone who knows how to have a good time. You’re one who isn’t afraid to let loose every once in a while.

Of course, a guy could mean trouble in a negative way when he calls you crazy.

While this won’t give you the best experience, you could use this guy’s opinion of you as a way to push yourself to do some self-reflection.

Try not to take it the wrong way, even if it feels like an insult.

Instead, use it as a chance to look inward and see if there’s any truth to what he’s saying.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide how to react.

11) He has thoughts of cheating on his partner

Men who cheat usually have a type.

And that type is usually someone who is the complete opposite of their current partner.

More importantly, it’s usually someone who fills the void that their partner can’t or won’t fill.

So, if a guy calls you trouble and he’s in a relationship, then there’s a good chance he’s thinking about cheating on his partner with you.

Trouble is synonymous with excitement and adventure. And for some guys, that’s exactly what they’re looking for outside of their relationship.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that every guy who calls you trouble is a cheater.

In reality, not every man will act on every temptation.

But it’s definitely good to be aware of the possibility, especially if you’re considering getting involved with this guy.

12) He’s flirting with you

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Let’s be real: there’s a pretty good chance that you’ve been called trouble at some point.

In fact, being called a troublemaker might just be the sweetest thing a guy has ever called you.

So what does it mean when a guy calls you trouble?

Well, it’s pretty simple: he’s flirting with you.

You see, flirting is all about playing with fire. It’s about pushing boundaries and testing the waters.

And what better way to do that than by using certain words that can trigger a reaction?

For these reasons, why not use the situation as a chance to understand him better and deepen your connection?

Whether you take the bait or not is up to you. But at least you know what he’s up to.

Besides, you’re the one in control of this situation.

13) He’s trying to get under your skin

In some cases, a guy will call you trouble just to get a rise out of you.

This is usually the case when he knows that you don’t like being called certain names or when he knows that you’re easily triggered by certain words.

For example, he might call you a troublemaker because he knows that you don’t like being called that.

Or he might call you crazy because he knows that it bothers you.

In either case, he’s just trying to get under your skin and get a reaction out of you.

Now, the best way to deal with this guy is to just ignore him. It simply isn’t worth your time and energy to try to engage with him.

However, you may want to consider the possibility that a guy calls you trouble because he actually likes you.

In other words, he’s trying to get your attention in any way he can.

And while his methods might not be the best, it’s worth considering that there may be some truth to what he’s saying.

14) He’s nervous about trusting someone else

In any relationship, trust is key. Without trust, there can be no true connection.

So, if a guy calls you trouble, it could be because he’s nervous about trusting someone else.

Here’s more: he might have been hurt in the past and is now hesitant to open up to someone new.

As a result, he’s built up a wall around himself. He’s well-guarded when it comes to love and relationships.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should just give up on him.

You see, men are social creatures that need to feel respected, useful, and needed.

And when this is fulfilled, it triggers their hero instinct, which could lead to him finally opening up to you.

This James Bauer video will show you exactly what you need to do.

You’ll learn how to activate a man’s hero instinct so that he not only trusts you but also commits himself to you entirely.

15) That’s his way of saying he’s into you

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When a guy calls you trouble, it’s his way of telling you that he’s into you.

Now, this might not be the most flattering way of putting it. But that’s just how some guys operate.

They’re not exactly the smoothest when it comes to flirting or expressing their feelings.

So instead of just coming out and saying that he likes you, he’ll find a roundabout way of doing it.

And in this case, he’s telling you that he thinks you’re trouble.

It might not be the most romantic thing in the world. But at least he’s trying, right?

So, if you’re into him, why not just play along?

You can use this as an opportunity to flirt back and see where things go from there.

Well, as long as you’re willing to let him push your boundaries and be a troublemaker himself, the sky’s the limit!

How To Respond To The Guys Who Call You Trouble

To be honest, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.

It really depends on the guy and the context of the situation.

So, if you’re not sure how to respond when a guy calls you trouble, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1) If you don’t like being called trouble, make it clear to him

Some guys are just naturally flirty and enjoy pushing people’s buttons. They do it because they think it’s funny or they’re hoping to get a reaction out of you.

If this is the case, then it might be best to just ignore him.

However, if you don’t like being called trouble and you want him to stop, then you need to make it clear to him that you’re not okay with it.

Tell him that you don’t appreciate being called that and that he needs to find another way to express himself.

2) If you’re into him, flirt back

As mentioned, there’s a chance that the guy’s actually into you. He might be trying to get your attention in any way he can.

And while his methods might not be the best, it’s worth considering that there may be some truth to what he’s saying.

So, if you’re into him, why not just play along?

3) If you’re not sure how to respond, just laugh it off

Sometimes, the best way to deal with a guy who’s being a troublemaker is to just laugh it off.

Don’t take him too seriously and just enjoy the playful banter.

Of course, this only works if the guy’s actually joking around and not being mean-spirited.

But if he is, then it’s best to just keep quiet or walk away.

Don’t get yourself in trouble

Words can have a lot of power, especially when it comes to guy-speak.

And the word “trouble” is one of those words. It’s a loaded word that can mean a lot of different things.

Let’s face it: depending on how you react, it can either keep the guy interested or scare him off.

By understanding the different meanings behind this word, you’ll be better equipped to handle the situation.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, men are still men. They may be complicated creatures, but they’re not that difficult to understand.

To make the long story short, men want to be seen as individuals with dignity and respect.

James Bauer explains this well in this free video.

Using his incredible concept of the hero instinct,  you can learn how to trigger a man’s most basic and primal desire.

It’s an instinct that all men share, but very few women know about it.

If you want to learn more about how to use this concept to your advantage, make sure to check out the free video now.

Picture of Frankie Pascua-dela Pasion

Frankie Pascua-dela Pasion

Frankie was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. She is a graduate of Humanities from the University of Asia and the Pacific. Frankie is a seasoned Customer Success and Human Resources professional. She is also a certified Life Coach and Career Strategist. She helps people young and young at heart to simplify their lives by creating emotional awareness. She also loves working with people who have a genuine interest in breaking their inner limits through their journey of self-discovery and authenticity in their personal and professional lives. Frankie’s recent venture into writing is fueled by her passion for human connection and meaningful relationships at home, at work, and basically everywhere. She enjoys the research, discovery, and reflection that go into each article as much as she writes about them, in the hopes that her words resonate with, and give perspective to her audience.

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