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a bitter pill
/ə ˈbɪtər pɪl/◆idiom
something difficult to accept
Losing his job was a bitter pill to swallow.
He found it very hard to accept losing his job.
informal
A difficult or unpleasant truth or situation that must be accepted.
The news of her illness was a bitter pill to swallow.
She struggled to accept the difficult news about her health.
The company's bankruptcy was a bitter pill for the employees.
The employees found it hard to accept the company's failure.
Often used with the verb 'to swallow' to emphasize the difficulty of accepting something.
Collocations
to swallow a bitter pillto reluctantly accept something difficult
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Tip
This phrase is often used in formal and informal contexts to describe emotional or practical difficulties in accepting something.
Gold Rule
Key Rule
Always use 'a bitter pill' with the verb 'to swallow' to convey the full meaning of the idiom.
Word Origin
The phrase originates from the idea of swallowing a bitter-tasting medicine, which is unpleasant but necessary for recovery.
Usage Notes
This idiom is commonly used to describe situations where someone must accept something unpleasant or difficult.
Word Breakdown
bitter
unpleasant or difficult
adjectivepill
a small, round object to be swallowed
nounEnglish Dictionary