Misfortune is an inevitable part of life, affecting us all at different times and in various ways. To express these less fortunate events, we often turn to idioms that encapsulate the essence of our experiences. Here are 20 idioms that vividly describe misfortune, each with a short meaning and an example to illustrate their use.
Idioms That Describe Misfortune
1. When it rains, it pours
Meaning: Problems arrive all at once.
Example: Lost my keys, then my wallet—when it rains, it pours.
2. Out of the frying pan into the fire
Meaning: Going from bad to worse.
Example: Escaping debt, then getting ill—frying pan to fire.
3. Between a rock and a hard place
Meaning: Faced with two bad options.
Example: Pay the fine or face jail—rock and a hard place.
4. Up the creek without a paddle
Meaning: In a difficult situation without help.
Example: Lost in the wild, no map—up the creek.
5. Down on one’s luck
Meaning: Experiencing a bad fortune period.
Example: Jobless again, down on my luck.
6. A tough break
Meaning: An unfortunate occurrence.
Example: Didn’t get the promotion—a tough break.
7. A stroke of bad luck
Meaning: An instance of misfortune.
Example: Rained on my wedding—bad luck.
8. Back to square one
Meaning: Starting over after a failure.
Example: Project failed, back to square one.
9. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: A mistaken or futile approach.
Example: Blamed the innocent—wrong tree.
10. Bite the dust
Meaning: To fail or collapse.
Example: My old laptop finally bit the dust.
11. Caught between two stools
Meaning: Unable to decide between two things.
Example: Can’t choose the job—between stools.
12. Digging your own grave
Meaning: Causing one’s own downfall.
Example: Lying to the boss—digging my grave.
13. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Meaning: Don’t plan based on uncertain events.
Example: Expected a bonus, never came—counting chickens.
14. Fall on deaf ears
Meaning: Be ignored or disregarded.
Example: My warnings fell on deaf ears.
15. Hit rock bottom
Meaning: Reach the lowest possible level.
Example: Bankrupt, hit rock bottom.
16. In dire straits
Meaning: In a very bad situation.
Example: Stranded abroad, in dire straits.
17. On thin ice
Meaning: In a risky situation.
Example: Nearly fired, on thin ice.
18. That ship has sailed
Meaning: It’s too late for an opportunity.
Example: Missed the job offer—that ship sailed.
19. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To give up.
Example: Quit the course, threw in the towel.
20. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling ill or unhappy.
Example: Missed the party, under the weather.
