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swallow one's pride

Meaning: To set aside one's pride and accept a humbling situation or apology.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: The phrase pictures forcing down something bitter or distasteful, as if pride were a physical substance lodged in the throat.

More idioms — Body & Senses

  • see with half an eye — To perceive something obvious with very little effort or attention.
  • have someone's guts for garters — To punish someone severely, especially with angry or violent reprimand.
  • wet one's whistle — To have a drink.
  • bad blood — Persistent hostility or deep resentment between people.
  • pull teeth — To accomplish something with great difficulty, requiring much effort and persistence.
  • feet first — Dead, or in the manner of a corpse.

More English idioms

  • fall into place — To become suddenly clear and fully understood when separate elements finally align.
  • raise hell — To cause a major disturbance or create considerable trouble and chaos.
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  • put the pedal to the metal — To accelerate a vehicle to maximum speed, or more figuratively, to exert maximum effort.
  • donkey's ears — A very long time; ages.

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