How can I learn idioms: problems and difficulties in English?

The most effective way is spaced repetition: practice this deck of 31 flashcards using the Flashcards, Learn, Write, and Match modes. The system shows you each word right before you're about to forget it, so you retain it long-term instead of just memorizing it for a test.

How many words are in the idioms: problems and difficulties deck?

This deck has 31 cards at level B2, each with pronunciation audio and an example sentence.

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Idioms: problems and difficulties

Learn English idioms for talking about problems, tough situations, and difficult decisions.

B231 cards

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Flashcards

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Learn

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Write

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Match

Match the words against the clock. A fun, low-pressure way to review.

Terms in this deck

in hot water
in trouble
between a rock and a hard place
facing a difficult choice with no good options
back against the wall
in a very difficult situation with few options left
a can of worms
a situation that will cause many problems if you deal with it
the tip of the iceberg
a small, visible part of a much larger problem
add fuel to the fire
to make a bad situation worse
go from bad to worse
for a situation to get even worse
out of the frying pan into the fire
going from a bad situation to an even worse one
when it rains it pours
when problems happen, they seem to happen all at once
hit a snag
to encounter an unexpected problem
a thorn in your side
a persistent source of annoyance
at your own risk
you accept the danger or consequences of doing something
easier said than done
something that sounds simple but is actually difficult
a tough nut to crack
a difficult problem or person to deal with
in a bind
in a difficult situation
a double-edged sword
something that has both good and bad effects
up the creek without a paddle
in serious trouble with no way to solve it
dig yourself into a hole
to make a situation worse through your own actions
a slippery slope
a course of action that will likely lead to a worse situation
jump through hoops
to go through many difficult steps to achieve something
the last resort
the final option when everything else has failed
face the music
to accept responsibility and consequences for something
throw a wrench in the works
to cause a problem that disrupts a plan
bite the dust
to fail or come to an end
up against it
facing serious difficulty
make matters worse
used to introduce something that makes a bad situation even worse
a needle in a haystack
something extremely difficult to find
a rude awakening
a sudden and unpleasant realization of the truth
the calm before the storm
a peaceful period right before something difficult or chaotic happens
cross that bridge when we come to it
to deal with a problem only when it actually happens, not before
a vicious circle
a repeating situation where one problem causes another, making things worse

How to study this deck

These idioms describe difficult situations and complications: "in hot water", "a can of worms", "the tip of the iceberg". Learn each with a situation where you would use it. They help express problems vividly and many have a close Spanish equivalent, which makes them easier to remember.

The trickiest words

in hot water: it means being in trouble for something you did: "He is in hot water with his boss".
a can of worms: it is a situation that, once opened, creates many new problems.
the tip of the iceberg: it means the visible part is only a small piece of a bigger problem.

Examples in context

He's in hot water with his boss.
Let's not open that can of worms.
He quit that job only to jump out of the frying pan into the fire.
Enter at your own risk.
Social media is a double-edged sword.
We had to jump through hoops to get the visa.
Another startup bit the dust this year.
Losing his job was a rude awakening.

Mini dialogue

A: I forgot the report. I am in hot water.
B: It is between a rock and a hard place, isn't it?
A: And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
B: Don't add fuel to the fire. Tell the truth.