problems

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Idioms (11)

the tip of the iceberg
CEFR B2

a small visible part of a much larger hidden problem or situation

Neutral
a hot potato
CEFR B2

A controversial or awkward issue that no one wants to deal with.

Informal
get out of hand
CEFR B1

To become impossible to control.

Neutral
the elephant in the room
CEFR B2

an obvious and important problem that everyone notices but avoids discussing

Neutral
a storm in a teacup
CEFR C1

A great deal of fuss made about a trivial matter.

Neutral
can of worms
CEFR B1

a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched

Informal
when it rains it pours
CEFR C1

when problems come, they come all at once

Informal
a tough nut to crack
CEFR C1

a hard problem to solve or a hard person to convince

Neutral
go pear-shaped
CEFR C1

to go wrong, to fail in an awkward way

Informal
in a pickle
CEFR B2

in a difficult or embarrassing situation

Informal
nip it in the bud
CEFR B2

to stop a problem at an early stage

Neutral