Dobi Apps

English idioms

Idioms about problems

How English describes trouble, tough choices, getting caught and things going from bad to worse.

Idioms

  1. 1between a rock and a hard placeIn a difficult situation where every choice is bad.I'm between a rock and a hard place – if I take the job, I have to move away from my family.
  2. 2the last strawThe final problem that makes a situation impossible to accept any longer.The neighbours' party at 3 a.m. was the last straw – we called the landlord.
  3. 3add insult to injuryMake a bad situation even worse for someone.My flight was delayed, and to add insult to injury, they lost my luggage.
  4. 4to make matters worseUsed to introduce something that makes an already bad situation worse.We got lost, and to make matters worse, my phone battery died.
  5. 5get out of handBecome difficult or impossible to control.The party got out of hand and the neighbours called the police.
  6. 6in hot waterIn trouble, usually because you did something wrong.He's in hot water with his boss for missing the deadline.
  7. 7in deep waterIn serious trouble or a situation that is too difficult to handle.The company has been in deep water since it lost its biggest client.
  8. 8make a mountain out of a molehillTreat a small problem as if it were a very serious one.It's only a small scratch on the car – don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
  9. 9on thin iceIn a risky situation where one more mistake could cause serious trouble.After being late three times this month, you're on thin ice.
  10. 10grasp at strawsTry any possible solution, even weak ones, because you are desperate.With no real evidence, the detectives were grasping at straws.
  11. 11face the musicAccept the unpleasant results of something you have done.I broke the vase, so I'll have to go home and face the music.
  12. 12Achilles' heelA weak point that can cause someone or something to fail.Spelling has always been my Achilles' heel.
  13. 13a slap on the wristA very mild punishment, often milder than people think is fair.The company broke the rules but only got a slap on the wrist.
  14. 14catch someone red-handedDiscover someone at the moment they are doing something wrong.I caught my little brother red-handed eating the last biscuit.
  15. 15bury your head in the sandIgnore a problem and hope it will go away.You can't bury your head in the sand – those bills have to be paid.
  16. 16back to square oneBack at the start, after an attempt has failed.The landlord rejected our offer, so we're back to square one.
  17. 17in a tight spotIn a difficult situation that is hard to get out of.I'm in a tight spot – I lent my rent money to a friend and he hasn't paid me back.