Swallow a bitter pill Meaning in English
expression
SWAH-loh uh BIT-er PIL
swuh-LOH uh BIT-uh PIL
Definition
To accept something difficult or unpleasant, even though you do not like it.
Usage & Nuances
'Swallow a bitter pill' is an idiom, not literal. It's used in both casual and formal situations when someone has to accept bad news or an unpleasant fact. Often describes necessary acceptance rather than choice.
Spanish: tragarse una píldora amarga - aceptar una dura realidadPortuguese (BR): engolir um comprimido amargo - aceitar uma situação ruimPortuguese (PT): engolir um comprimido amargo - aceitar uma situação desagradávelChinese (Simplified): 咽下苦药 - 接受苦涩现实Chinese (Traditional): 吞下苦藥 - 接受痛苦的事實Hindi: कड़वी गोली निगलना - सच्चाई को स्वीकार करनाArabic: يتجرع حبة مُرّة - يقبل حقيقة مُرّةBengali: কঠিন সত্য মেনে নেওয়া - তিতা বড়ি গিলতে হওয়াRussian: проглотить горькую пилюлюJapanese: 苦い薬を飲むVietnamese: nuốt viên thuốc đắngKorean: 쓴 약을 삼키다Turkish: acı bir hap yutmakUrdu: کڑوی گولی نگلناIndonesian: menelan pil pahit
Example Sentences
He had to swallow a bitter pill when he lost his job.
basic
Failing the exam was a bitter pill to swallow for her.
basic
Sometimes you have to swallow a bitter pill and move on.
basic
It was hard, but I had to swallow a bitter pill when my project got canceled.
natural
Admitting he was wrong was a bitter pill to swallow, but he did it.
natural
Sometimes, life makes us swallow a bitter pill before things get better.
natural