difficulty

Idioms (58)

• get to grips with Neutral · CEFR B2
  to begin to understand and deal with a difficult problem or task
• get one's head (a)round Informal · CEFR B2
  to manage to understand something difficult or surprising
• call the cavalry Informal · CEFR C1
  to ask for extra help or reinforcements in a difficult situation
• in the same boat Informal · CEFR B1
  in the same difficult situation as other people
• on one's hands Neutral · CEFR B2
  as one's responsibility or problem to deal with
• fall foul of Formal · CEFR C1
  to get into trouble with someone or break a rule or law
• throw somebody in at the deep end Informal · CEFR B2
  to make someone start a difficult task with little preparation or help
• bite the bullet Neutral · CEFR B2
  To force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult that you have been avoiding.
• in hot water Informal · CEFR B1
  In trouble or facing difficulty.
• easier said than done Neutral · CEFR B1
  Something that sounds simple to do but is actually hard.
• let sleeping dogs lie Neutral · CEFR B2
  To avoid raising an old issue that could cause trouble.
• wrap your head around something Informal · CEFR B2
  To fully understand something complicated.
• out of the frying pan into the fire Neutral · CEFR C1
  To escape one bad situation only to land in a worse one.
• herding cats Informal · CEFR C1
  trying to coordinate or control a group of highly independent people
• uphill battle Neutral · CEFR B2
  a struggle that requires enormous effort against strong opposition
• moving target Neutral · CEFR B2
  a goal or requirement that keeps changing while you try to hit it
• in a tight spot Informal · CEFR B1
  in a difficult or dangerous situation
• a tough nut to crack Neutral · CEFR C1
  a hard problem to solve or a hard person to convince
• a bitter pill to swallow Neutral · CEFR C1
  an unpleasant fact or situation that must be accepted
• against the grain Neutral · CEFR C1
  in a way that conflicts with what is usual or with someone's natural character
• hang in there Informal · CEFR B1
  to persevere and not give up despite difficulty
• in a pickle Informal · CEFR B2
  in a difficult or embarrassing situation
• come to terms with Neutral · CEFR B2
  to gradually accept and emotionally deal with a difficult reality
• rock bottom Neutral · CEFR B2
  the lowest possible point in a difficult situation
• pick up the pieces Neutral · CEFR B2
  to rebuild one's life or restore order after a damaging event
• one of those things Neutral · CEFR B2
  an odd or unfortunate situation accepted as unavoidable and not worth further explanation
• come unstuck Neutral · CEFR C1
  to fail or encounter a problem that causes a plan or effort to break down
• weather the storm Neutral · CEFR B2
  survive a difficult period without suffering lasting damage
• down and out Neutral · CEFR B2
  in severe hardship, especially without money, resources, or prospects
• add insult to injury Neutral · CEFR B2
  make an already bad situation worse by adding humiliation or further harm
• feel the pinch Neutral · CEFR B2
  experience financial pressure because money has become scarce
• dig deep Neutral · CEFR B2
  draw on all one's effort or inner resources to overcome a challenge
• plain sailing Neutral · CEFR B2
  an activity or process that continues easily and without difficulties
• body blow Neutral · CEFR B2
  a major setback that seriously weakens a person, organization, or effort
• at a pinch Neutral · CEFR C1
  if it becomes absolutely necessary, though the option is barely adequate
• run the gauntlet Neutral · CEFR C1
  to endure a succession of ordeals, attacks, or severe criticism
• down at heel Neutral · CEFR C1
  shabby, worn, or neglected in appearance, often because of poverty
• play with fire Neutral · CEFR B2
  to take a serious risk that is likely to bring harmful consequences
• par for the course Neutral · CEFR B2
  Normal and unsurprising for a particular situation, even if it is inconvenient or disappointing.
• fun and games Neutral · CEFR B2
  Enjoyable, lighthearted activity, often mentioned in contrast with a situation's serious or difficult side.
• hope against hope Neutral · CEFR B2
  To continue wishing for a good result even when it seems almost impossible.
• up against it Neutral · CEFR B2
  Facing severe difficulties, pressure, or obstacles.
• light at the end of the tunnel Neutral · CEFR B2
  A sign that a difficult period may soon improve or end.
• cold comfort Formal · CEFR C1
  Consolation that offers little real relief in a painful or difficult situation.
• through thick and thin Neutral · CEFR B2
  Remaining loyal and supportive during both good times and serious difficulties.
• make a meal of Neutral · CEFR B2
  to devote far too much effort to a task and make it seem needlessly complicated
• leave someone in the lurch Neutral · CEFR B2
  to withdraw support when another person is stranded in serious difficulty
• rough edges Neutral · CEFR B2
  small flaws that remain without seriously reducing the overall quality
• square the circle Neutral · CEFR C1
  to try to resolve a problem widely regarded as extremely difficult or impossible
• when the chips are down Neutral · CEFR B2
  at a moment of crisis when pressure forces an important choice
• grin and bear it Neutral · CEFR B2
  to put up with something unpleasant while suppressing complaints and maintaining a smile
• teething troubles Neutral · CEFR C1
  small, temporary problems that arise while a new system or activity is getting started
• hang by a thread Neutral · CEFR B2
  to remain so precarious that collapse or failure could happen at any moment
• break the back of Neutral · CEFR B2
  to get past the main obstacle so that the remaining work becomes easier
• keep the wolf from the door Neutral · CEFR B2
  to earn or manage just enough to avoid poverty, hunger, or serious hardship
• from pillar to post Neutral · CEFR B2
  moved repeatedly between people or places without making useful progress
• draw the short straw Neutral · CEFR B2
  to be selected, often by chance, for an unwanted task or outcome
• when push comes to shove Neutral · CEFR B2
  when mounting pressure makes decisive action unavoidable