Problem Idioms
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if it’s not one thing, it’s the other
Meaning: Expresses frustration when multiple problems occur one after another.
Example: If it's not one thing, it's the other—first the car broke down, now the power’s out. Read more ➺
Meaning: an action, whether verbal or physical that makes a bad situation even worse
Example: The presidential candidate’s provocative speech in these violent times is only going to add fuel to the flames. Read more ➺
Meaning: to make a bad situation worse
Example: The company rejected his application for a job, and to add insult to injury, refused to pay his expenses. Read more ➺
Meaning: experience difficult financial conditions or circumstances
Example: The earthquake and the drought left the region in dire straits for a long time. Read more ➺
Meaning: a very serious situation
Example: The political party is in deep water after it was discovered that their candidate had lied in the report. Read more ➺
Meaning: to reach a point in a situation where action needs to be taken
Example: The negative political climate in America seems to have come to a head. Read more ➺
Meaning: a bad situation
Example: Things have come to such a pretty pass that nowadays parents are afraid of advising their children. Read more ➺
Meaning: to get into something that is messy, has problems and is unwanted
Example: The can of worms was wide open when he asked her about her past. Read more ➺
Meaning: be in the same unpleasant situation as other people
Example: The speaker said that everyone should make an effort towards the protection of the environment, as everyone was in the same boat, and climate changes would have dire consequences for all. Read more ➺
Meaning: to delay worrying about something that might not happen anyway
Example: We think that there may be too many people to fit into the hall, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it. Read more ➺
