English / idiom
Hard or Bitter Pill to Swallow
MEANING IN ENGLISH
A harsh, painful reality, diagnosis, or disappointment that is deeply distressing but must be endured.
In context
01
Learning that his competitive athletic career was over due to spinal injury was a bitter pill to swallow.
02
The chronic diagnosis was a hard pill to swallow, but acknowledging it allowed her to begin appropriate medical care.
Synonyms
unpleasant reality,harsh truth,painful fact
Antonyms
welcome relief,pleasant surprise,comforting news
Collocations
a bitter pill to swallow,finding it a hard pill to swallow,accept a bitter pill