Through the mill Meaning in English
expression
ˈθɹu/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈmɪɫ
THROO thuh MIL
θɹˈuː/ /ðə, ði/ /mˈɪl
throo thuh MIL
Definition
To go 'through the mill' means to experience many difficulties, problems, or stressful experiences, often one after another.
Usage & Nuances
Idiom, informal. Used for people who've faced ongoing hardship or stress. Often appears as "been through the mill" or "put through the mill." Not about literal mills—always metaphorical.
Spanish: pasar por momentos difíciles - pasar por un mal tragoPortuguese (BR): passar por maus bocados - passar por dificuldadesPortuguese (PT): passar por maus bocados - passar por dificuldadesChinese (Simplified): 经历苦难 - 经历挫折Chinese (Traditional): 經歷苦難 - 經歷挫折Hindi: कठिनाइयों से गुजरना - परेशानियों से गुजरनाArabic: مرّ بظروف صعبة - مرّ بتجارب قاسيةBengali: কষ্টের মধ্য দিয়ে যাওয়া - অনেক দুঃখ সহ্য করাRussian: пройти через многое - пройти через испытанияJapanese: 苦労を重ねる - 辛い目にあうVietnamese: trải qua nhiều sóng gió - chịu nhiều thử tháchKorean: 고생을 겪다 - 힘든 일을 겪다Turkish: çok şey yaşamak - çile çekmekUrdu: مشکلات سے گزرنا - کڑی آزمائش سے گزرناIndonesian: trải qua nhiều gian khổ - chịu nhiều sóng gió
Example Sentences
After he lost his job, he really went through the mill.
basic
She felt like she had been through the mill after the exams.
basic
They've both been through the mill lately with family problems.
basic
It’s clear from the way she acts that she’s been through the mill.
natural
Wow, sounds like your project team has gone through the mill this month!
natural
He’s really been put through the mill by the new boss.
natural