Speak Mango
Quiz 🎲|Every day, one new expression.|

Today's Expressions

Learn useful English expressions easily and fun.

conversation

to be a tough sell

difficult to convince someone to buy or accept something · an item that is hard to sell or justify purchasing

What's the situation?

Imagine you're at the mall, and your friend is eyeing a really expensive, bright purple sequin jacket. 🤩 You secretly think it's a bit much, but they seem to love it. This phrase is perfect for expressing your doubts, or for the item itself!

conversation

It's a grind

something difficult and tiring · a demanding routine

What's the situation?

You can use this expression when you're talking about a demanding job, a tough school project, or any activity that requires a lot of consistent effort and might be a bit exhausting. It perfectly captures the feeling of perseverance through a tough period! 💪

conversation

to be hung up on something

to be overly concerned or obsessed with something (often a past event, person, or problem) · to be unable to move past something emotionally

What's the situation?

Have you ever found yourself constantly thinking about an ex, or a mistake you made weeks ago? This expression perfectly captures that feeling when you just can't let something go! 🤔 It's like your brain has a sticky note stuck on one particular thing.

conversation

to be in a bad way

to be in a difficult or negative emotional/mental state · to be struggling emotionally

What's the situation?

Imagine your friend just went through a tough breakup or lost their job. 😔 You'd definitely say they're 'in a bad way'. It means they're not just sad, but really struggling and probably need some support. 💔

conversation

to weather the storm

to get through a difficult period · to endure tough times

What's the situation?

Imagine a friend who's been going through a rough patch at work, facing a lot of pressure and uncertainty. You've seen them stressed, but they're finally starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. This expression perfectly describes their resilience!

conversation

to feel out of depth

to be in a situation that is too difficult for you · to feel unqualified or unprepared

What's the situation?

Ever been in a new job or project where you just thought, "Woah, this is way over my head?" 🤯 That's exactly when you'd "feel out of depth"! It perfectly describes that feeling of being in a situation that’s too challenging for your current skills or knowledge.

conversation

to swallow hard

to react with difficulty or apprehension to something unpleasant or surprising · to force oneself to accept something unpleasant

What's the situation?

Imagine you've just received some news that's hard to hear or accept, like an unexpected bill 💸 or a sudden change in plans. 'To swallow hard' perfectly captures that moment when you physically react to a difficult emotional truth, usually by gulping or tensing up, showing your internal struggle. It's not about being literally thirsty, but about the emotional 'gulp' you take! 😮

conversation

an uphill battle

a difficult struggle · a challenging task

What's the situation?

You're trying to launch a new product in a competitive market, or convince your boss to approve a risky but innovative project. 😱 That's definitely 'an uphill battle'! It means you're facing significant challenges and it won't be easy to succeed. Think of it like trying to cycle up a really steep hill – you need a lot of effort!

conversation

to be in over one's head

to be involved in something too difficult or complex for one's abilities · to be in a situation that is beyond one's control or understanding

What's the situation?

This expression is spot on for when you've jumped into a new challenge, project, or responsibility, and suddenly realize it's way more intense than you expected! 😵‍💫 It perfectly captures that feeling of being completely overwhelmed, maybe a little lost, and perhaps questioning if you're capable of pulling it off. It's like trying to swim a marathon when you've only practiced in the kiddie pool! 🌊

conversation

to be caught between a rock and a hard place

in a difficult situation with no easy or good options · stuck between two bad choices

What's the situation?

Ever feel like you're stuck where no matter what you choose, things won't be easy? 😩 This phrase perfectly captures that frustrating, no-win scenario! It's when you have two difficult options, and picking either one comes with significant drawbacks.

conversation

to be going through it

experiencing a difficult or challenging time · dealing with a lot emotionally

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect for when you or someone you know is dealing with a tough period in life, whether it's stress from work, a breakup, or just general emotional struggles. 😥 It signals empathy without needing all the details. It's like saying, 'Hey, I see you're having a rough time, and that's okay.'

conversation

to hit a snag

encounter an unexpected problem · run into a difficulty

What's the situation?

You're on a mission to buy something, and suddenly, something goes wrong! 🤯 Maybe the item you wanted is sold out online, or your credit card decided to take a day off. This phrase is your go-to for describing those frustrating little hiccups! 😩

conversation

to jump through hoops

to face many difficulties or obstacles · to have to do a lot of complicated or annoying things

What's the situation?

You know those times when getting a visa feels like an Olympic sport? 😱 Or booking a flight with a weird layover requires navigating 10 different websites? 😵 That's when you're "jumping through hoops"! It means dealing with a lot of bureaucracy, complicated steps, or just plain annoying obstacles to get what you want, especially when planning or executing a trip. 😫 But hey, the reward (the trip itself!) is usually worth it! ✈️✨

conversation

to be in a tough spot

to be in a difficult situation · to be facing a challenge

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect for those moments when you're facing a tricky situation or a difficult dilemma that's causing you a bit of stress. 😫 It's a relatable way to say you're going through something challenging, whether it's at work, with friends, or in life generally!

conversation

to be overwhelmed by choice

to have too many options, making it hard to decide · to feel stressed because there are so many things to choose from

What's the situation?

Ever walked into a huge supermarket or scrolled through endless online products and just... froze? 😱 That's 'to be overwhelmed by choice'! It’s that feeling when the sheer number of options makes it impossible to pick just one. So relatable in today's consumer world!

conversation

to hit a rough patch

to go through a difficult period · to experience problems

What's the situation?

Life isn't always smooth sailing, right? 🌬️ This expression perfectly describes those times when things just aren't going your way – maybe in your relationships, at work, or even just feeling a bit lost. It's a gentle way to acknowledge that someone (or something) is going through a tough time.

conversation

a tall order

a difficult task · a demanding request · something hard to achieve

What's the situation?

Ever been asked to do something that feels like climbing Mount Everest in your pajamas? 🏔️👖 This phrase is perfect for when you're facing a challenging task or a really ambitious request. It shows you understand the difficulty without necessarily saying "no"!

conversation

a needle in a haystack

something extremely difficult to find · a tiny, insignificant thing among many others

What's the situation?

Ever gone shopping for that one perfect, specific item, only to realize it's like searching for Bigfoot in a crowded mall? 🕵️‍♀️ That's exactly when you'd use 'a needle in a haystack'! It perfectly describes the frustration of hunting for something rare or hard to spot among a sea of other things. Good luck, shopper!

conversation

to be stumped

to be puzzled · to be unable to answer or solve something

What's the situation?

You know that feeling when you're faced with a tricky question, a stubborn problem, or a puzzle that just won't click? 🤯 That's exactly when you'd say you're 'stumped'! It's a relatable way to express being genuinely puzzled or at a loss for words, especially when trying to figure something out. 🤷‍♀️

conversation

to be put through the wringer

to go through a very difficult or stressful experience · to be severely tested

What's the situation?

Ever felt like life just keeps throwing curveballs at you, one after another? 😩 This expression perfectly captures that feeling when you've been through a really tough time, whether it's emotional stress, a demanding project, or a series of unfortunate events. Think of clothes being squeezed in an old-fashioned wringer – that's how your energy (and nerves!) might feel! 🌀

conversation

to grapple with something

to struggle to deal with · to cope with a difficult situation or strong emotion

What's the situation?

Ever found yourself trying to understand or accept a really tricky situation or a confusing emotion? 🤔 This expression perfectly describes that intense mental and emotional wrestling match! It's when you're not just 'thinking about' something, but actively trying to process, accept, or overcome it. 🧠💪

conversation

to have a tough time

to experience a difficult period or struggle · to face significant challenges

What's the situation?

Ever felt like you're just juggling too many flaming chainsaws? 🔥🪚 This expression is your go-to when you're going through a rough patch, be it at work, in relationships, or just with life's general shenanigans. It's perfectly understood that you're facing difficulties, big or small, and it's okay to admit it!

conversation

It's a tough call

a difficult decision · a hard choice to make

What's the situation?

You're trying to decide between two amazing pairs of shoes, or two equally cool gadgets! 🤯 When both options are great (or both are equally not-so-great), and you just can't pick one, this phrase perfectly captures that moment of deliberation. It's all about that tricky decision-making process!

conversation

to hit rock bottom

reach the lowest point · be in a desperate situation

What's the situation?

This expression perfectly captures those moments when life throws everything at you, and you feel like you can't go any lower. 📉 It's a way to describe reaching the absolute worst point in your personal or professional life. But hey, the only way from rock bottom is up, right? 💪

© 2026 Speak Mango. All rights reserved.