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10+Useful Phrases & Idioms for Problems and Difficulties

 


Expressions & Idioms for Problems and Difficulties! Learn useful phrases and idioms for facing problems and difficulties in English with meaning, ESL printable worksheets and example sentences.

Useful list of 110+ business idioms in English.

Expressions & Idioms for Problems and Difficulties

List of 14 Phrases & Idioms for Problems and Difficulties

  1. (An) Uphill Climb
  2. (The) Last Straw
  3. Above Water
  4. Come Out in the Wash
  5. Cut Corners
  6. Cut the Gordian Knot
  7. Get To Grips With
  8. Head (Go) South
  9. In a Jam
  10. In Hot Water
  11. Red Tape
  12. Start with a Clean Slate
  13. Stumbling Block
  14. Think Outside the Box

Expressions & Idioms for Problems and Difficulties with Meaning & Examples

(An) Uphill Climb

  • Meaning: A difficult process
  • ExampleWinning back our trust after stealing is going to be an uphill climb, but we think you can do it if you’re careful to act with honesty.

(The) Last Straw

  • Meaning: A problem or insult that finally demands a response
  • ExampleIt’s always annoying when Rudy brings food to his office, but today he brought a durian. That’s the last straw – I’m going to complain to the boss.

Above Water

  • Meaning: Not in extreme difficulty. Especially said of finances.
  • ExampleWe’re not rich, but we’re keeping our heads above water.

Come Out in the Wash

  • Meaning: To be resolved with no lasting negative effect
  • ExampleRight now it seems as though you have a lot of problems, but don’t worry – it will all come out in the wash.

Note: This is used most often in the construction “it will all come out in the wash.”

Cut Corners

  • Meaning: Economize by reducing quality; take shortcuts
  • ExampleLet’s not cut corners on the roofing materials – with the rainstorms around here, we’d regret it later.

Cut the Gordian Knot

  • Meaning: To solve a complex problem in a simple way.
  • ExampleWilliam often sees simple solutions when the rest of us are struggling with details. He has a talent for cutting the Gordian knot.

Note: This rather uncommon idiom refers to a legend about Alexander the Great, who cut a knot with his sword when he could not untie it.

Get To Grips With

  • Meaning: To begin to understand and deal with something
  • ExampleI think it’s time we got to grips with the problem of increasing competition.

Note: In the USA one says “come to grips with.”

Head (Go) South

  • Meaning: Decline, get worse
  • ExampleThe markets all headed south after the bad economic news.

In a Jam

  • Meaning: In need of help, in a difficult spot
  • ExampleMy roommate said he was in a jam and needed to borrow twenty dollars, so I lent it to him.

Note: Unlike “in a jam” or “in a pickle,” this may be used with the word “with” to denote being in trouble with someone.

In Hot Water

  • Meaning: In need of help; in trouble
  • ExampleCathy is in hot water with her department manager after she blew that sales presentation.

Red Tape

  • Meaning: Bureaucracy; difficult bureaucratic or governmental requirements
  • ExampleThe amount of red tape involved in building something in this city is unbelievable.

Start with a Clean Slate

  • Meaning: To start (something) again with a fresh beginning; to work on a problem without thinking about what has been done before
  • ExampleWe’ve reached a dead end with this project. I think it’s best to wait until next week and start with a clean slate.

Stumbling Block

  • Meaning: An obstacle, physical or abstract
  • ExampleI enjoy this job, but the social aspects of it are hard – shyness has always been a stumbling block for me.

Think Outside the Box

  • Meaning: Try to solve a problem in an original way; think creatively
  • ExampleOur product line is getting stale. We need to think outside the box and come up with creative new products.

Phrases & Idioms for Problems and Difficulties | Image

Useful Expressions and Idioms for Problems and Difficulties in English

Idioms for Problems and Difficulties

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