bitter pill to swallow

An unpleasant fact, disappointment, or humiliation that is difficult to endure. For example, Failing the bar exam was a bitter pill to swallow, but he plans to try again next year. [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Yet, this is a bitter pill to swallow for many, given Pakistan contributes less than 1% of the global greenhouse gas emissions.

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For Kyiv, such a concession would be a bitter pill to swallow.

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He described the the outcome as "a bitter pill to swallow", although was awarded just over £1,650 on the grounds that his relationship with the lender was unfair.

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"It was lovely, he brought his mum along to see it and that's why this is such a bitter pill to swallow," Mr Jenkins said.

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“A bitter pill to swallow for Pakistan fans who’ve seldom seen darker times,” he wrote on social media after Thursday’s game, calling it one of the biggest upsets in the sport’s history.