Trouble idioms

29 trouble idioms with what each one means. Tap one for its origin, examples and a quick check.

At sixes and sevens
If people or things are at sixes and sevens, they are confused, disorganized or in disagreement.
Back against the wall
If your back is against the wall, you are in a very difficult situation with few choices left, so you must fight hard or give in.
Between a rock and a hard place
If you are between a rock and a hard place, you have to choose between two options that are both bad.
Bite the bullet
To bite the bullet is to make yourself do something unpleasant or difficult that you have been avoiding.
Catch-22
A catch-22 is a situation you can't escape because the rules contradict each other: to get one thing you need another, and to get that you need the first.
Come hell or high water
Come hell or high water means no matter what happens, even if there are serious problems or obstacles.
Curiosity killed the cat
Curiosity killed the cat is a warning that being too nosy or asking too many questions can get you into trouble.
Double-edged sword
A double-edged sword is something that has both good and bad effects, often because the same feature that helps can also hurt.
Face the music
To face the music means to accept the unpleasant results of something you did, such as criticism or punishment.
Grin and bear it
If you grin and bear it, you accept an unpleasant or painful situation without complaining, because you cannot change it.
Hang in there
Hang in there is a way of telling someone to keep going and not give up during a hard time.
High and dry
If you are left high and dry, you are left alone in a difficult situation, without help or support.
In a pickle
If you are in a pickle, you are in a difficult or awkward situation and are not sure how to get out of it.
In the same boat
If people are in the same boat, they are in the same difficult or unpleasant situation.
Keep at bay
If you keep something at bay, you stop it from coming too close, getting worse or causing you harm.
Needle in a haystack
A needle in a haystack is something very hard, or nearly impossible, to find because it is hidden among many other things.
Nip it in the bud
To nip something in the bud means to stop a problem early, before it can grow into something bigger.
Off the hook
If you are off the hook, you are no longer in trouble or no longer responsible for something you were worried about.
On the rocks
On the rocks has two meanings: a relationship or business in serious trouble and likely to fail, or a drink served over ice.
Out of the woods
If someone is out of the woods, they are past the most dangerous or difficult part of a situation.
Over a barrel
If someone has you over a barrel, they have put you in a position where you have no choice but to do what they want.
Primrose path
The primrose path is an easy, pleasant way of living or acting that leads to trouble or ruin.
Rock the boat
To rock the boat is to cause trouble or upset a calm situation, often by questioning how things are done.
Slippery slope
A slippery slope is a situation where one small step is likely to lead to more and more serious steps that are hard to stop.
The devil is in the details
The devil is in the details means that small, easily overlooked details can cause big problems, so they deserve careful attention.
The last straw
The last straw is the final problem in a series that makes a situation unbearable and pushes someone to react.
The writing on the wall
The writing on the wall is a clear sign that something bad, such as failure or the end of something, is coming.
Through thick and thin
Through thick and thin means through good times and bad times, staying loyal no matter what happens.
Weather the storm
To weather the storm is to get through a difficult period or crisis without being badly harmed.

Trouble idioms

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