How to Pronounce "hard pill to swallow"
expression
HARD pil tuh SWAH-loh
HAHD pil too SWOL-oh
Definition
A fact or situation that is very difficult or unpleasant to accept or admit.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈhɑɹd/ /ˈpɪɫ/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈswɑɫoʊ/, /ˈswɔɫoʊ
British English
hˈɑːd/ /pˈɪl/ /tˈuː/ /swˈɒləʊ
Simplified Pronunciation
US
HARD pil tuh SWAH-loh
UK
HAHD pil too SWOL-oh
Listen in Context
Losing my job was a hard pill to swallow.
It's a hard pill to swallow, but we can't change what happened.
Hearing the truth was a hard pill to swallow for him.
Finding out she didn't get the promotion was a hard pill to swallow, but she'll move on.