[Idiom] A BITTER PILL TO SWALLOW. - How to Talk About Tough Realizations

Difficult to accept.

The phrase 'a bitter pill to swallow' is used to describe a situation or information that is unpleasant but must be accepted. Like taking actual medicine, which can be distasteful yet necessary for health, this idiom conveys facing a tough reality that is hard to accept but unavoidable.

Example Sentences

1. His failure to get promoted was a bitter pill to swallow.

   His failure to get promoted was a difficult disappointment to accept.

2. The team's loss in the final game was a bitter pill to swallow.

   The team's loss in the final game was a hard disappointment to accept.

3. Being let go from his dream job was a bitter pill to swallow.

   Being let go from his dream job was a difficult disappointment to accept.