adversity

• Back Against the Wall

  To be in a desperate or extremely difficult situation with no apparent means of escape or retreat.

• Take the Heat

  To endure blame, criticism, or negative consequences, often to protect others or in a challenging situation.

• Down on one's luck

  Experiencing a period of misfortune or bad luck.

• Come hell or high water

  Regardless of any obstacles or extreme difficulties, a promised action will be performed or a goal will be achieved.

• The cards are stacked against you

  You are in a situation where the odds are heavily unfavorable, making success extremely difficult or impossible.

• The bitter end

  To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation until its absolute final, often harsh, conclusion.

• Have the rug pulled out from under someone

  To suddenly and unexpectedly remove a crucial support or advantage, leaving someone in a difficult or vulnerable position.

• The odds are stacked against someone

  The circumstances or probabilities are extremely unfavorable, making success very difficult to achieve.

• To make the best of a bad situation

  To adapt to an unfortunate circumstance and find the most positive or beneficial outcome possible.

• To pick up the pieces

  To restore a situation or one's life after a disaster, setback, or significant failure.

• A string of misfortunes

  A series of unfortunate events or bad luck that happen one after another.

• One thing after another

  This phrase describes a continuous sequence of difficulties or problems that occur in quick succession.

• A living hell

  An extremely difficult, unpleasant, or painful situation or experience that feels inescapable.

• A lost cause

  A situation, person, or thing that has no hope of success or improvement, and is therefore futile to continue trying to help or fix.

• A glimmer of hope

  A very small, faint sign of optimism or possibility in a challenging or bleak situation.

• Darkest before the dawn

  This proverb suggests that the most difficult or unpleasant part of a situation often occurs just before conditions improve.

• We're all in this together

  It signifies that everyone involved shares the same difficult situation, implying a need for mutual support and cooperation.

• A stumbling block

  Something that causes difficulty or prevents progress.

• A formidable challenge

  A formidable challenge refers to a task or problem that is exceptionally difficult, intimidating, and requires significant effort and skill to overcome.

• A daunting challenge

  Something that is extremely difficult or intimidating to undertake.

• To be laid low

  To be rendered weak, incapacitated, or defeated by illness, misfortune, or a powerful adversary.

• Swamp of troubles

  A situation overwhelmed by numerous complex and entangled problems, making progress or escape difficult.

• Up against it

  To be facing severe difficulties, opposition, or a challenging situation with limited resources or options.

• Hard school

  A difficult or challenging experience that provides valuable, often unpleasant, lessons and builds resilience.