A bitter pill to swallow.
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
His failure to get promoted was a bitter pill to swallow.
His failure to get promoted was a difficult disappointment to accept.
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.
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.