hard pill to swallow
Meaning
A difficult truth or unpleasant fact that’s hard to accept.
Origin
From the literal idea of having trouble swallowing a large/bitter pill; by the 1900s it was used figuratively for unpleasant realities one must “take.”
Notes
Used for unpleasant truths or outcomes someone struggles to accept. Common in conversation; can soften delivery by acknowledging the difficulty.
Examples
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Losing the promotion to a new hire was a hard pill to swallow.
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It was a hard pill to swallow when the doctor told me I had to stop playing sports for a while.
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The fact that our competitor beat us to the launch was a hard pill to swallow.
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Hearing that the project was canceled after months of work was a hard pill to swallow.
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It’s a hard pill to swallow, but we can’t afford to take a vacation this year.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Typically used with the article: “a hard pill to swallow.” Often appears as a complement: “It’s a hard pill to swallow,” or “X is a hard pill to swallow.” Can be modified (“a very hard pill to swallow”).
Synonyms
- bitter pill (to swallow)
- tough truth
- unpleasant truth
- hard truth
- a rude awakening
Antonyms
- easy to accept
- welcome news