PhrasesHub

hard to swallow

    Definitions

      • difficult to accept or believe
        Express disbelief or skepticism towards a statement or situation that seems unbelievable or hard to come to terms with

      • unpleasant or unpalatable
        Refer to something that is distasteful or unpleasant to experience, like a bitter truth or a harsh reality

    Examples of hard to swallow

    • The bitter truth about the promoter's shady deals was hard to swallow.

      The speaker finds it difficult to accept or believe the unpleasant or unpalatable reality about the promoter's unfair business practices. The expression "hard to swallow" suggests that something is not easy to digest or accept, much like a bitter pill or unpleasant taste in the mouth.

    • After the humiliating defeat, the team's morale took a hard hit, and it was hard to swallow.

      The team members were deeply disappointed and demoralized by their loss, making it challenging for them to keep their spirits up and move forward.

    • The unreasonable proposal put forward by my colleague was hard to swallow.

      The speaker finds it difficult to accept or agree with the unfair or unreasonable suggestion presented by his colleague. The expression "hard to swallow" highlights the speaker's reluctance to swallow or accept the proposal, implying that it is not easy to digest or swallow due to its unpalatability.

    • The doctors delivered the devastating news to my parents, and they found it hard to swallow.

      The speaker's parents were emotionally challenged and found it challenging to come to terms with the serious medical diagnosis or news delivered to them. The expression "hard to swallow" suggests that they found it difficult to accept or process the devastating news and its implications.

    • After trying the new vegan cookie, my friend couldn't help but say, "This cookie is hard to swallow."

      My friend found the new vegan cookie unpleasant and difficult to consume, much like how it may be difficult to swallow a unpleasant truth or statement.

    • The CEO's proposal was met with a lot of skepticism, and some board members found it hard to swallow.

      Some members of the board found the CEO's proposal difficult to accept or believe, just as how swallowing an unpleasant truth can be difficult.

    • After the failed presentation, my colleague remarked, "I feel like I just swallowed an elephant."

      My colleague felt like they had been overwhelmed and burdened by the failure of the presentation, much like how swallowing a large, heavy object can be difficult and burdensome.

    • When my friend found out about the unexpected increase in price, she said, "This price increase is really hard to swallow."

      My friend found it difficult to accept or believe the unexpected price increase, just as how swallowing an unpleasant truth can be difficult.In each example, the idiom "hard to swallow" is used as a metaphor to describe something that is difficult to accept, believe, or consume, making it a creative way to express the feeling of unease, disbelief, or discomfort.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "hard to swallow" is commonly used to convey the idea of something being difficult to accept or believe, or simply unpleasant to deal with. It can be used in various contexts, from expressing skepticism towards a claim to acknowledging a harsh reality. The phrase effectively communicates the emotional struggle involved in facing challenging or uncomfortable situations.

    In everyday conversations, people use "hard to swallow" to express their disbelief or discomfort with a particular situation. It serves as a way to convey the emotional impact of something that is difficult to come to terms with. By using this idiom, individuals can express their feelings of unease or resistance towards accepting certain truths or circumstances.

    Overall, "hard to swallow" is a versatile idiom that captures the complexities of human emotions and reactions to difficult situations. It resonates with people who have experienced moments of disbelief, discomfort, or unease, providing a relatable expression for navigating challenging circumstances.

    Origin of "hard to swallow"

    The origin of the idiom "hard to swallow" can be traced back to the literal act of swallowing something difficult or unpleasant. The physical action of swallowing can be challenging when the substance is unpalatable or hard to digest. Over time, this physical sensation evolved into a metaphorical expression to describe emotional or mental struggles in accepting certain truths or realities.

    The idiom likely originated from the idea that some truths or situations are as hard to accept as physically swallowing something unpleasant. It embodies the concept of facing difficulties or discomfort, whether in the form of a bitter truth or a harsh reality. The metaphorical use of "hard to swallow" captures the universal experience of grappling with challenging emotions and navigating tough circumstances.