What is what does it mean to be high maintenance?

Being "high maintenance" generally refers to someone who has a lot of needs, demands, or expectations in a relationship (romantic, platonic, or professional) and requires a significant amount of attention, effort, and resources to keep happy. It's often, though not always, used in a negative context.

Here's a breakdown of what it can encompass:

It's important to note that the perception of someone being "high maintenance" is subjective and depends on the other person's capacity and willingness to meet those needs. What one person considers high maintenance, another might view as perfectly reasonable. Also, the term can be gendered and unfairly applied.