aid and abet someone
Meaning: to help someone, especially in a crime or misdeed; to incite someone to do something which is wrong.
Example: “He was scolded for aiding and abetting the boys who were fighting.”
Focused Idiom Category
Problems and Difficulties Idioms
Problems and difficulties idioms describe trouble, obstacles, mistakes, pressure, failure to progress, and situations that are hard to manage. They are used when someone faces a setback, creates a problem, becomes trapped in an awkward position, or needs to begin again. This collection only includes expressions whose primary meaning is clearly connected with difficulty; idioms focused mainly on emotions, decisions, or final results remain in their own categories. Every entry provides a short meaning for fast scanning and an example sentence that supplies the full context. The A–Z navigation makes the page practical as a reference tool, while related links connect readers with risk, success, and emotional language. These idioms are valuable for daily conversation, workplace problem-solving, news, and storytelling because English speakers often describe challenges figuratively.
33Relevant idioms
A
A Idioms
1 entriesB
B Idioms
2 entriesback to the drawing-board
Meaning: [it is] time to start over again; [it is] time to plan something over again, especially if it has gone wrong.
Example: “Back to the drawing-board.”
baptism of fire
Meaning: a first experience of something, usually something difficult or unpleasant.
Example: “He stood up to the baptism of fire very well.”
C
C Idioms
3 entriescarry the weight of the world on one’s shoulders
Meaning: to appear to be burdened by many problems.
Example: “He seems to be carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.”
caught over a barrel
Meaning: at the mercy of someone; under the control of someone.
Example: “I’m caught over a barrel, and I have to do what he says.”
chapter of accidents
Meaning: a series of misfortunes.
Example: “Yesterday was just a chapter of accidents—nothing went right.”
D
D Idioms
2 entriesdeath to something
Meaning: having a harmful effect on something; liable to ruin something.
Example: “It’s death to tyres.”
dig one’s own grave
Meaning: to be responsible for one’s own downfall or ruin.
Example: “The manager tried to get rid of his assistant, but he dug his own grave.”
F
F Idioms
2 entriesfall apart at the seams
Meaning: to break into pieces; to fall apart.
Example: “This old car is about ready to fall apart at the seams.”
fall from grace
Meaning: to cease to be held in favour, especially because of some wrong or foolish action.
Example: “He was the teacher’s prize pupil until he fell from grace by failing the history exam.”
G
G Idioms
3 entriesgenerous to a fault
Meaning: too generous.
Example: “My favourite uncle is generous to a fault.”
get a slap on the wrist
Meaning: to get a light punishment.
Example: “He created quite a disturbance, but he only got a slap on the wrist.”
get off lightly
Meaning: to receive very little punishment.
Example: “It was a serious crime, but Mary got off lightly.”
I
I Idioms
5 entriesin a (pretty) pickle
Meaning: in a mess; in trouble.
Example: “John has got himself into a pickle.”
in a (tight) spot
Meaning: caught in a problem;.
Example: “Look, John, I’m in a tight spot.”
in a bad way
Meaning: in a critical or bad state.
Example: “Mr. Smith is in a bad way.”
in a fix
Meaning: in a bad situation.
Example: “I really got myself into a fix.”
in deep water
Meaning: in a dangerous or vulnerable situation; in a serious situation; in trouble.
Example: “He’s in deep water.”
L
L Idioms
1 entriesleave oneself wide open for something and leave oneself wide open to something
Meaning: to invite criticism or joking about oneself; to fail to protect oneself from criticism or ridicule.
Example: “Yes, that was a harsh remark, Jane, but you left yourself wide open to it.”
M
M Idioms
2 entriesmake an example of someone
Meaning: to punish someone as a public warning to others.
Example: “The judge decided to make an example of John, so he fined him the full amount.”
make mischief
Meaning: to cause trouble.
Example: “Bob loves to make mischief and get other people into trouble.”
O
O Idioms
2 entrieson a fool’s errand
Meaning: involved in a useless journey or task.
Example: “Bill went for an interview, but he was on a fool’s errand.”
one’s days are numbered
Meaning: to face death, dismissal, or ruin.
Example: “If I don’t get this contract, my days are numbered at this firm.”
P
P Idioms
2 entriespaper over the cracks (in something)
Meaning: to try to hide faults or difficulties, often in a hasty or not very successful way.
Example: “The politician tried to paper over the cracks in his party’s economic policy.”
pay one’s debt to society
Meaning: to serve a sentence for a crime, usually in prison.
Example: “The judge said that Mr. Simpson had to pay his debt to society.”
R
R Idioms
1 entriesknuckles rapped
Meaning: to receive punishment.
Example: “I got my knuckles rapped for whispering too much.”
S
S Idioms
1 entriessaved by the bell
Meaning: rescued from a difficult or dangerous situation just in time by something which brings the situation to a sudden end.
Example: “James didn’t know the answer to the question, but he was saved by the bell when the teacher was called away from the room.”
T
T Idioms
2 entriestake one’s medicine
Meaning: to accept the punishment or the bad fortune which one deserves.
Example: “I know I did wrong, and I know I have to take my medicine.”
take something on the chin
Meaning: to experience and endure a blow stoically.
Example: “The bad news was a real shock, but John took it on the chin.”
U
U Idioms
2 entriesup to no good
Meaning: doing something bad or criminal.
Example: “I could tell from the look on Tom’s face that he was up to no good.”
upset the applecart
Meaning: to spoil or ruin something.
Example: “Tom really upset the applecart by telling Mary the truth about Jane.”
V
V Idioms
1 entriesvexed question
Meaning: a difficult problem about which there is a lot of discussion without a solution being found.
Example: “The two brothers quarrelled over the vexed question of which of them should take charge of their father’s firm.”
W
W Idioms
1 entrieswhistle for something
Meaning: to expect or look for something with no hope of getting it.
Example: “I’m afraid you’ll have to whistle for it if you want to borrow money.”
Helpful Answers
Frequently asked questions
What are difficulty idioms?
They are fixed expressions used to describe trouble, obstacles, mistakes, pressure, setbacks, or situations that are hard to solve.
Are failure idioms included here?
Only when the main focus is the problem itself. Expressions centred on the final success or failure belong in a separate category.
Can these idioms be used at work?
Yes. They are common in project updates, problem-solving discussions, reports, meetings, and conversations about delays or risks.
Do problem idioms sound negative?
Usually, but they can also make a difficult subject easier to explain or add humour to a minor setback.
How can I choose the right expression?
Identify whether the situation involves confusion, danger, delay, error, lack of progress, or pressure, then match the meaning carefully.
