Difficulty & Adversity Vocabulary Set in Situations & States: Full and Detailed List

The 'Difficulty & Adversity' vocabulary set in 'Situations & States' is carefully selected from standard international textbook sources, helping you master vocabulary in a short time. Comprehensive compilation of definitions, illustrative examples, and standard pronunciation...

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life isn't all beer and skittles

/laɪf ˈɪzənt ɔːl bɪr ænd ˈskɪtəlz/

Example:

He soon discovered that being a professional athlete isn't all beer and skittles.

prosperity makes friends, and adversity tries them

/prɑːˈsper.ə.t̬i meɪks frendz, ænd ədˈvɝː.sə.t̬i traɪz ðem/

Example:

When he lost his business, he realized that prosperity makes friends, and adversity tries them.

sometimes darkness can show you the light

/ˈsʌm.taɪmz ˈdɑːrk.nəs kæn ʃoʊ juː ðə laɪt/

Example:

After losing his job, he realized his true passion; sometimes darkness can show you the light.

the longest mile is the last mile home

/ðə ˈlɔŋ.ɡəst maɪl ɪz ðə læst maɪl hoʊm/

Example:

I've been working on this project for months, but the longest mile is the last mile home.

there is no royal road to learning

/ðɛr ɪz noʊ ˈrɔɪəl roʊd tu ˈlɜrnɪŋ/

Example:

You must practice every day because there is no royal road to learning a new language.

we all have our cross to bear

/wi ɔːl hæv ˈaʊər krɔːs tu ber/

Example:

She has to care for her sick parents alone, but as they say, we all have our cross to bear.

when it rains, it pours

/wɛn ɪt reɪnz, ɪt pɔːrz/

Example:

First my car broke down, and then I lost my job; when it rains, it pours.

a bad penny always turns up

/ə bæd ˈpen.i ˈɔːl.weɪz tɜːrnz ʌp/

Example:

I thought he had moved abroad for good, but a bad penny always turns up.

the gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials

/ðə dʒɛm ˈkænɑt bi ˈpɑlɪʃt wɪˈðaʊt ˈfrɪkʃən, nɔːr mæn pərˈfɛktɪd wɪˈðaʊt ˈtraɪəlz/

Example:

Remember that the gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials when you face difficulties.

above black there is no color, and above salt there is no savor

/əˈbʌv blæk ðɛr ɪz noʊ ˈkʌlər, ænd əˈbʌv sɔlt ðɛr ɪz noʊ ˈseɪvər/

Example:

In terms of intensity, above black there is no color, and above salt there is no savor.

calamity is man's true touchstone

/kəˈlæm.ə.ti ɪz mænz truː ˈtʌtʃ.stoʊn/

Example:

He remained calm and led the team during the crisis, proving that calamity is man's true touchstone.

crosses are ladders that lead to heaven

/ˈkrɔːsəz ɑːr ˈlædərz ðæt liːd tuː ˈhɛvən/

Example:

She found comfort in the old saying that crosses are ladders that lead to heaven during her illness.

it is easier to tear down than to build (it back) up

/ɪt ɪz ˈiziər tu tɛr daʊn ðæn tu bɪld ɪt bæk ʌp/

Example:

The scandal ruined his career in a day; it is easier to tear down than to build back up.

every heart has its own ache

/ˈev.ri hɑːrt hæz ɪts oʊn eɪk/

Example:

You never know what someone is going through; every heart has its own ache.

every path has its puddle

/ˈev.ri pæθ hæz ɪts ˈpʌd.əl/

Example:

The new job is great, but the long commute is a challenge; every path has its puddle.

if it's not one thing, it's another

/ɪf ɪts nɑt wʌn θɪŋ, ɪts əˈnʌðər/

Example:

First the car broke down, and now the heater is broken; if it's not one thing, it's another.

you may as well bid me lade the sea with a nutshell

/juː meɪ æz wel bɪd miː leɪd ðə siː wɪð ə ˈnʌt.ʃel/

Example:

Trying to explain quantum physics to a toddler? You may as well bid me lade the sea with a nutshell.

new levels, new devils

/nuː ˈlɛvəlz, nuː ˈdɛvəlz/

Example:

I thought getting promoted would make things easier, but it's just new levels, new devils.

misery loves company

/ˈmɪz.ər.i lʌvz ˈkʌm.pə.ni/

Example:

She was glad to hear her friend also failed the test; I guess misery loves company.

misfortunes never come singly

/mɪsˈfɔːrtʃənz ˈnɛvər kʌm ˈsɪŋɡli/

Example:

First I lost my job, and then my car broke down; truly, misfortunes never come singly.

it is all Lombard Street to a China orange

/ɪt ɪz ɔːl ˈlɑːm.bɑːrd striːt tuː ə ˈtʃaɪ.nə ˈɔːr.ɪndʒ/

Example:

With their star player back, it is all Lombard Street to a China orange that they will win the championship.