8 Useful Idioms For Bad Experience

English Idioms for Bad Experience, expressions and proverbs are an important part of the English language, both spoken and written English are filled with them.

For English Language Students idioms are hard to comprehend, the reason being Idioms don’t make objective sense.

To learn the meanings and usage of idioms for Bad Experience, learners must practice and familiarize themselves with their everyday usage.

The team at Lillypad understands the pain and difficulties English Learners come across comprehending the true meaning and right usage. This idioms list of Bad Experience makes learning easy, with common Bad Experience idioms, definitions, and example sentences which make the meaning clear.

Learning to use common idioms and expressions will make your English sound more native, so it’s a good idea to master some of these expressions with daily practice, so bookmark this page or share it with your friends; now let us learn about idioms for Bad Experience together.

 

Idioms for Bad Experience with Meanings, Definitions & Example Sentences

 

1. A Total Nightmare

Definition and Meaning: A Total Nightmare

The expression “a total nightmare” is used to describe a situation that is extremely unpleasant and chaotic.

A Total Nightmare Example Sentences:

• My first day of work was a total nightmare. I couldn’t find my way around the office and I made a lot of mistakes.
• My flight was a total nightmare; the plane was delayed for hours and I missed my connecting flight.
• My first day of school was a total nightmare. I couldn’t find my classes and I was late to all of them.
• Trying to get a refund from the store was a total nightmare. I had to wait in line for hours and the customer service was terrible.

2. Dodged A Bullet / Bullet Dodged

Definition and Meaning: Dodged A Bullet / Bullet Dodged

The speaker is saying that they never want to experience something like what they just went through again.

Dodged A Bullet / Bullet Dodged Example Sentences:

• You dodged a bullet by skipping school today. A fire broke out in the chemistry lab.
• I dodged a bullet when I got my car fixed. The road was slippery due to the rain.
• Consider not buying the house a bullet dodged. It was invested in termites and needed extensive repairs.
• The investment they are promoting is bullet dodged. It turned out to be a scam.

3. In Dire Straits

Definition and Meaning: In Dire Straits

The idiom “in dire straits” means someone is in a very bad or impossible situation.

In Dire Straits Example Sentences:

• The basketball team is in dire straits with the head coach out in the game due to sickness.
• The economy is in dire straits as unemployment keeps rising.
• He found himself in dire straits when he was arrested for stealing from his employer.
• She was in dire straits after her car broke down on the highway.

4. In Deep Water

Definition and Meaning: In Deep Water

The expression “in deep water” means someone is in trouble or has made a mistake that will be very hard to fix.

In Deep Water Example Sentences:

• The teacher will be in deep water if he can’t submit the report tomorrow.
• I need to help my friend out in deep water.
• If you don’t pay your bills on time, you might be in deep water.
• He was in deep water before life got better for him.

5. Catch-22

Definition and Meaning: Catch-22

A “catch-22” means an impossible dilemma, paradox, or conundrum with seemingly no solution. It describes situations where the only way out of a problem is also part of the problem. The term was coined by Joseph Heller in his novel Catch-22 (1961).

Catch-22 Example Sentences:

• I need to work to buy a laptop, but I need a laptop to start working. It’s a catch-22!
• He claimed that it was a catch-22 situation and chose the less dangerous option.
• She was in a catch-22 when the car broke down. If she calls for help, they will know she’s escaping, but if she doesn’t, she will get stuck in the desert.

6. A Complete Disaster

Definition and Meaning: A Complete Disaster

The expression “a complete disaster” is used to describe a situation that is extremely bad or chaotic.

A Complete Disaster Example Sentences:

• The party was a complete disaster – no one had a good time.
• The new product launch was a complete disaster – sales were dismal.
• The school play was a complete disaster – the actors forgot their lines.
• The vacation was a complete disaster – the hotel was terrible and it rained the whole time.
• The wedding was a complete disaster – the bride and groom got into a huge fight and the cake was ruined.

7. Absolute Nightmare

Definition and Meaning: Absolute Nightmare

The expression “absolute nightmare” is used to describe a situation that is so bad that it feels like a nightmare.

Absolute Nightmare Example Sentences:

• Trying to get my computer to work after the update was an absolute nightmare.
• Dealing with the customer service representative was an absolute nightmare.
• Trying to find a parking spot in the city was an absolute nightmare.
• Moving to a new house was an absolute nightmare on the first month.

8. Can Of Worms

Definition and Meaning: Can Of Worms

It means that you have created or started a situation where the solution is worse than the problem itself.

Can Of Worms Example Sentences:

• Overhauling the system is a can of worms I do not want to open.
• He had been putting off auditing the budget because it is a can of worms full of discrepant figures.
• It is a can of worms having your car checked sometimes. The technicians always find something wrong with it.
• We are all waiting for someone to take charge of this can of worms of a project.

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