bitter pill
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He is giving you this money out of his own pocket because you are his sister and he understands that you have had to swallow a bitter pill.
From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026
Leonard played 65 games and averaged a career-best 27.9 points, however Wednesday’s loss was a bitter pill to swallow.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026
The Japanese considered the emperor to be divine, and a surrender was to admit his fallibility—a very bitter pill to swallow.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026
Defeat was another bitter pill for Zverev, who is still searching for a first Slam crown aged 28 after being a three-time finalist, including last year in Australia when Jannik Sinner beat him.
From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026
Given that Russia was at this point at the very vanguard of modernism it was a bitter pill to swallow, and understandably so.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
