Express yourself more fluently in challenging situations by learning English idioms for difficulty and complexity.
11 topics180 words
Hard Tasks12 words
at a pushphrasewith difficulty or extra effort
to [bite] the bulletphraseto start to deal with an inevitable challenge or difficulty
a bitter pill to (swallow|take)phrasesomething so unpleasant that a person has to struggle to accept it
easier said than donephrasenot difficult in words compared to how difficult it can be in practice
(fine|pretty) kettle of fishphrasea situation that is complicated, awkward, or annoying
(hard|tough) nut (to crack|)phrasesomeone or something that is difficult to understand, deal with, or overcome
to [have] {one's} work cut out for {sb}phraseused to say that something is very difficult and one will need to put a lot of effort into doing it
here goes nothingsentenceused to express a sense of uncertainty or nervousness before attempting something
[get] blood (from|out of) a (stone|turnip)phraseto try to do something that is very unlikely to accomplish
to [take] some beatingphraseto be very successful that demands a lot of hard work in order to be outdone or surpassed
tall ordernouna very difficult or unreasonable request
to [be] no picnicphraseused to emphasize that doing something is not easy at all
Difficult Challenges15 words
like pulling teethphraseused to refer to something that is inexplicably difficult
teething (problems|troubles)phraseproblems that a person encounters in the early stages of a project or activity
like Chinese arithmeticphrasesaid of something that is very complex or difficult for one understands or work with
to [be] murderphrase(of a task) to be very difficult or almost impossible to do or complete
uphill battlenouna difficult fight or challenge that requires a lot of effort and determination
herculean tasknouna task or challenge that requires an immense amount of effort, strength, or endurance to accomplish
heavy goingphrasea difficult and challenging situation or task that requires significant effort to overcome or complete
a (tough|hard) row to hoephrasea situation that causes difficulties for one
to [bite] off more than {sb} (can|could) chewphraseto attempt to do something that is beyond one's capability
(as|) red as a cherryphraseused to refer to a situation in which one becomes extremely angry, causing one's face to turn red
like herding catsphraseused to describe a job or task that is too difficult or challenging
draft-mule worknounthe hardest or most boring part of a task or job
the deep endphrasea situation that is very difficult because one is not prepared to deal with it
to [shoot] {one's} boltphraseto utilize one's final and decisive efforts, often in a critical moment
(as) red as a cherryphraseturning really red in the face because of doing a lot of physical activities
Causing Difficulty19 words
a pain in the assphrasea person or thing that causes persistent annoyance, trouble, or inconvenience
a victim of {one's} own successphrasea situation in which an individual or organization faces negative consequences or difficulties as a result of their own achievements or accomplishments
a pain in the neckphrasea person or thing that is very annoying or troublesome
to [be|go|get] beyond a jokephraseto start becoming a source of trouble or worry
to [get] in the way of {sb/sth}phraseto not let someone do something or to prevent something from getting done by causing problems
long haulnouna task that needs a great amount of time and effort to finish
stumbling blocknounsomething that prevents the progress or occurrence of something
to [take] a lot out of {sb}phraseto exhaust one mentally or physically in order to be done or achieved
the (last|final) strawphrasethe final and decisive event or action that pushes someone beyond their tolerance or patience, leading to a significant reaction or decision
a monkey on {one's} backphrasea problem that is in no way easy to solve or get rid of
like kicking (dead|) whales down the beachphraseused to refer to a task or activity that is completely pointless and illogical
to [get] {one's} hands dirtyphraseto engage in manual work, particularly one that is exhausting or of high difficulty
thorn in {one's} (side|flesh)phrasea person or thing that is problematic and hard to deal with
the chill wind of {sth}phrasea collection of problems that are caused by something
milestone around {one's} neckphrasean inescapable problem or responsibility that proves too much for one to bear
tar babynouna problem that becomes more difficult to deal with the more one tries to solve it
the straw that [break] the (camel's|donkey's) backphraseone of several difficulties happening after one another that finally makes it intolerable for someone to continue something
to [be] drown (in|with) {sth}phraseto be overwhelmed or completely absorbed by a specific thing, experience, or emotion
get one's hands dirtyphraseto engage in manual work, particularly one that is exhausting or of high difficulty
Troublemaking14 words
apple of discordphrasea thing that is the source of a trouble, particularly by making people argue over it
to [dig] {oneself} into a holephraseto do something that gets oneself stuck into a difficulty
recipe for disasterphrasesomething that most likely results in great problems
to [rock] the boatphraseto provoke problems with something that one does or says
can of wormsphrasesomething that when someone tries to deal with it causes many problems
the fat [is] in the firesentencesaid when an action has inevitable consequences
hornet's nestphrasea situation that is very difficult or unpleasant to be in, often because people are really angry or upset over something
[cross] to bearphrasea difficult situation that one cannot change or escape from
more kicks than halfpencephrasea situation in which a person is subjected to more trouble instead of a positive outcome
through the millphrasein a situation that is extremely difficult to go through
(shit|stuff) [hit] the fansentenceused for stating that a lot of problems and arguments will occur when someone becomes aware of something
bane of {one's} (life|existence)phrasea person or thing that brings one misfortune or unhappiness
the fat [hit] the firesentenceused to describe a situation that was already bad has suddenly become worse
to [spell] (trouble|danger)phraseto indicate or suggest that a situation or action is likely to lead to problems
Adding Complexity16 words
to [cook] {one's} goosephraseto prevent someone from achieving success by destroying their plans
to [give] {sb} enough rope to hang {oneself}phraseto give someone an opportunity to act freely with the intention of hurting them
to [play] hard to getphraseto act as though one is not interested in another person's romantic or sexual advances in order to increase their interest or desire
to [queer] {one's} pitchphraseto prevent someone from achieving what they want by creating problems for them
to [rain] on {one's} paradephraseto ruin what someone has planned or not allow them enjoy something
to [throw] a (monkey|) wrench (into|in) the worksphraseto slow down a plan or activity or prevent it from going on
to [tie] {oneself} (up|) (in|into) knotsphraseto do something that makes oneself overly worried or confused
to [upset|overturn] the apple cartphraseto cause problems, often by ruining or interrupting something that was planned
to [muddy] the (waters|issue)phraseto complicate a simple situation
to [put] the kibosh on {sth}phraseto make an attempt to prevent something from continuing or happening
to [knock] the (wind|breath|stuffing) out of {sb}phraseto do something, particularly something others do not expect, in order to make them feel less confident or important
to [cast] a (shadow|cloud) (over|on) {sth}phraseto create a sense of negativity and hopelessness regarding a particular thing or situation
fly in the ointmentphrasea person or thing that ruins an otherwise positive or enjoyable situation
to [put] a damper on {sth}phraseto lessen or decrease the enjoyment, strength, or activity of something
to [take] the gilt off the gingerbreadphraseto cause something to be less enjoyable as it could be
play hard to getphraseto not easily give a person something that they need or want from one
Experiencing Difficulties24 words
(in|into) hot waterphrasein a situation that has unpleasant consequences for one
{one's} [back] (against|to) the wallphrasein a situation where one has little choice to do what they want or need to
[be] (way|) in over {one's} headphraseto get involved with something that is too difficult for one to handle or get out of
behind the eight ballphrasein a situation that involves difficulty, particularly one that is worse compared to that of others
the (odds|cards) [are] stacked against {sb}sentenceused to denote that someone has little chance of success in a given situation
for the bestphraseused for saying that something is going to be of advantage despite causing difficulty at the moment
in a (pretty|) picklephrasein a situation that presents a serious problem
in a (tight|) spotphrasein a situation that is difficult to deal with
in a tight cornerphrasein a difficult situation, particularly one that is not easy to deal with or get out of
in dire straitsphrasea situation with a lot of difficulties
in the grip of {sth}phraseused for saying that someone or something is affected or taken over by a very difficult or undesirable situation
through the wringerphraseexperiencing many difficulties or challenges
troubled watersphrasea situation that is filled with a lot of problems, confusion, or disorganization
up (a|the) creek (without a paddle|)phraseused to convey that one is in a difficult or challenging situation without a clear solution
when the chips [are] downphraseused for referring to the time at which a situation gets really problematic, serious, or challenging
school of hard knocksphrasetough, real-life experiences and challenges that one faces in life, often resulting in practical knowledge
in the same boatphrasein an unpleasant or difficult situation as same as what another person is experiencing
to [make] a man (out|) of {sb}phrase(of a difficult situation) to make a man tougher or more responsible
to [fall] to piecesphraseto completely fail to be effective
to [scratch|scrape] a livingphraseto have or earn just enough money or resources to meet basic needs and survive
black holenouna difficult state or condition that is not easy to escape from
rabbit holenouna situation marked by complexity, confusion, or strangeness, which is often difficult to escape from
sea legsnouna person's ability to adjust to a new or unfamiliar situation
fall to piecesphraseto experience a strong emotional or mental struggle, where someone feels overwhelmed, upset, and unable to handle their emotions
Facing Unpleasantness20 words
yoke around {one’s} neckphrasea heavy and difficult situation or responsibility that someone has to deal with
to [bat|be] on a sticky wicketphraseto be dealing with a critical or extremely difficult situation
to [be] in forphraseto be in risk of receiving punishment or getting into trouble
to [batten] down the hatchesphraseto get ready for trouble, difficulty, or danger
be a maninterjectionsaid to man as a way of asking them to behave less emotional, more though, or more responsible in face of difficulties
to [catch] a Tartarphraseto get into a confrontation with a person or thing that is more powerful than what one assumed
dog's lifephrasea miserable life filled with difficulties and misfortune
to [go] through hellphraseto experience something that is extremely painful or difficult, particularly for a long time
in deep waterphrasein trouble or a very difficult situation
pretty passnouna situation or state that is very undesirable or difficult
the weight of the worldphrasea worrisome or difficult responsibility or undertaking that is a burden to one
to [put] years on {sb}phrase(particularly of an event or a difficult situation) to cause a lot of suffering to someone and make them look or feel much older
to [rear|raise] its (ugly|) headphrase(of a problem or unpleasant situation) to appear or become noticeable often unexpectedly
high and dryphrase(of a person) placed in a difficult situation with little or no resources or help
in the eye of the stormphraseused to refer to being in the middle of a chaotic or controversial situation while maintaining a sense of control
the party [is] oversentenceused to say that a period of happiness, enjoyment, etc. has come to an end and one's life is going to get back to the state it previously was, if not worse
to [go] sourphrase(of situations, moods, or relationships) to become unpleasant or unsuccessful
be in forphraseto be expecting something difficult or undesirable to happen
bad hair dayphrasea day that is full of incidents and misfortunes
face-to-facephrasein an inevitable confrontation with an unpleasant or difficult situation
Easy Tasks14 words
(as|) easy as (anything|ABC|falling of a log)phrasenot needing any effort
(as|) easy as piephraselacking difficulty and done without putting any efforts
[be] like taking candy from a babyphraseto not need any hard work at all
(as|) simple as kiss your handphrasevery simple without involving any difficulty
to {not} [be] rocket sciencephrasenot that complicated or hard to understand, achieve, or do
Bob is your unclesentenceused for emphasizing how easy or fast something is done
to [be] (like|) child's playphraseto involve no difficulty
piece of cakephraseanything that is very easy to achieve or do
with {one's} eyes (closed|shut)phraselacking awareness regarding the potential outcomes of a particular action
bed of rosesphrasea situation that is easy, pleasant, or comfortable
to [get] {one's} tongue around {sth}phraseto be able to pronounce or articulate a difficult word, phrase, or language correctly, especially for non-native speakers
to [make] (quick|short|light) work of {sth}phraseto finish doing something as fast as one can
with one's eyes closedphrasewithout needing to try much
sweetness and lightphrasea state or situation that is harmonious or free from problems
Without Effort16 words
like a (hot|) knife through butterphrasewith minimum effort or time
to [break] a sweatphraseto need to put a lot of hard work or energy into doing something
to be (smooth|clear) sailingphraseto progress without facing problems or difficulties
like riding a (bike|bicycle)phrase(of a learned skill) still easy to do after not practicing for long
to [take] to {sth} like a duck to waterphraseto be really good at something as soon as one starts to do it
no muss, no fusssentencesaid to mean that something can be easily done or achieved
walk in the parkphraseused to refer to a really easy task or undertaking
low-hanging fruitphrasethe easiest achievable task in a given situation
no prizes for guessingsentencesaid to mean that something is very easy to find out
(line|path) of least resistancephrasethe fastest or easiest way in which something can be done or dealt with
to [be] in smooth [water]phraseto experience no or very few difficulties or disruptions, particularly after a period of hardship
to [be] {one's} for the (taking|asking)phraseto be achievable or available for someone without much difficulty or time
to [fall into|drop into|land into] {one's} lapphraseto receive something unexpectedly and without effort
with one (hand|arm) (tied|) behind {one's} backphrasein an easy manner and without facing many difficulties
hands downphrasein a way that is effortless or easy
free ridenouna benefit that is obtained at the cost or with the effort of another person
Acceptance & Relief20 words
to [come] to terms with {sth}phraseto gradually learn to accept or deal with something unpleasant
to grin and bear {sth}phraseto accept or tolerate a difficult or undesirable situation that one cannot change without complaint
necessary evilnounan unpleasant thing that requires acceptance in order for a certain thing to be achieved
to [leave|let] well alonephraseto not try to interfere or make changes in a situation or with something that is already functioning satisfactorily to avoid causing unnecessary problems
to [let] {sb/sth} bephraseto avoid getting involved with a person or thing or stop bothering them
to [let] {sth} roll off {one's} [back]phraseto not allow negative things such as an unfair criticism, etc. to have any effect on one
life goes onsentencesaid to a person after they have an unpleasant or sad experience to encourage them to keep on living as they used to
(load|weight) off {one's} [mind]phrasesomething that is finally dealt with and does not bother one anymore
snap out ofverbto regain control of oneself after being in a bad mood or emotional state
to [take] {sth} on the chinphraseto accept unpleasant or difficult things or situations, such as criticism or misfortune, without complaining
that is the way the cookie crumbles (in the market|)sentencesaid after an unfortunate event to mean one must accept the situation as it is
the calm after the stormphrasea peaceful time when things has improved following a period of difficulty, stress, or chaos
the (calm|lull) before (the|another) stormphrasea time when everything seems peaceful or fine before serious problems arise
the end of the worldphrasea situation that is an absolute disaster or is the worst thing that could possibly happen
the show must go onsentenceused for saying that one must continue an activity, performance, etc. despite any problem or difficulty
that [is] the way the ball [bounce]sentenceused to say that one cannot control everything as bad things happen regardless
to [throw] in the towelphraseto accept the fact that one has been defeated
(put|stick) that in {one's} pipe and smoke itsentenceused for telling someone to accept and consider something as true or valid, usually after a disagreement or argument
to [live] from day to dayphraseto experience life in the present moment and focus less on long-term plans or financial preparations
take something on the chinphraseto accept unpleasant or difficult things or situations, such as criticism or misfortune, without complaining
Means & Solutions10 words
silver bulletnouna simple and effective solution to a difficult problem
fast tracknounthe quick and direct path to achieving a goal or completing a project
to [throw] money at {sth}phraseto try to solve one's problem by spending money on it
to [grasp|clutch] at strawsphraseto be willing to do whatever necessary to improve one's current situation, regardless of one's chance of success
to [come] out in the washphraseto eventually resolve without intervention, typically after a period of time
to [weather] the stormphraseto manage to go through a difficulty without many consequences
to [do] the jobphraseto succeed in achieving the required result or solving the encountered problem
every trick in the bookphrasereferring to every possible method or strategy to achieve a goal, even if they are deceitful or unethical
quick fixnounan immediate solution that offers temporary relief or improvement to a problem without addressing the root cause
come out in the washphraseto eventually resolve without intervention, typically after a period of time
Learn all 180 words in this list with spaced repetition