Problem Idioms
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out of the frying pan into the fire
Meaning: to go from a bad to worse situation
Example: In a bid to gain independence, she agreed to get married early, not knowing she was jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. Read more ➺
Meaning: do not wait to deal with a specific problem or you risk it getting much worse later on
Example: John said to his brother, " You better bring your car to the shop while it's still running, because a stitch in time saves nine". Read more ➺
Meaning: It means that when you do not concentrate on the details of something you may run into unexpected problems
Example: "Have you seen my beautiful new bag? I paid a fortune for it." "Really? It is a fake. The stitching of the original bags is blue, not green." "How disappointing. I guess the devil is in the details." Read more ➺
Meaning: Mathematics is generally a real pain in the neck for most of the school and college students.
Example: Mathematics is generally a real pain in the neck for most of the school and college students. Read more ➺
Meaning: experience financial hardship
Example: Since Farrokh was made redundant, we've really felt the pinch. We can't even afford to buy the kids new shoes. Read more ➺
Meaning: to only know a very small part of the problem
Example: The manager-employee problems in this company are just the tip of the iceberg. Read more ➺
Meaning: to have a good or bad news enlarged by circumstances
Example: The restaurant owners had the best of everything at one point. But you know what they say, when it rains, it pours. Today they are left with absolutely nothing. Read more ➺
the course of true love never did run smooth
Meaning: people in love often have to overcome difficulties in order to be with each other
Example: Judy and I are in a long distance relationship and it is not easy staying away from each other. The course of true love never did run smooth. Read more ➺
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 ➺
