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hard pill to swallow

Meaning: difficult to accept; unpleasant truth or reality.

Language: English

Literally: a hard pill to swallow

Category: Food & Drink

Origin: Medication metaphor; difficult medicines are hard to ingest.

More idioms — Food & Drink

  • Hair of the dog — A morning drink taken to cure a hangover.
  • Das ist mir Wurst — I couldn't care less either way.
  • Jetzt geht's um die Wurst — Now it's crunch time — everything is at stake.
  • Avere la botte piena e la moglie ubriaca — To want to have it both ways.
  • 鯖を読む — To fudge the numbers in your favor, especially your age.
  • Enfiar o pé na jaca — To overdo it wildly, especially with food or drink.

More English idioms

  • be on cloud nine — to be extremely happy; in a state of bliss.
  • get a kick out of something — to enjoy something greatly; to find something amusing.
  • sharp as a tack — intelligent; quick-witted; keen-minded.
  • run it up the flagpole — to test an idea; to present something for approval or feedback.
  • knock on wood — to seek good fortune; to ward off bad luck.
  • pull someone's leg — To joke or tease someone by telling them something untrue.

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