a problem to be swallowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a problem to be swallowed" is not commonly used in written English, but it is grammatically correct.
You can use it to describe a difficult situation or issue that one must accept or endure, often reluctantly. Example: "The unexpected budget cuts were a problem to be swallowed, but we had to find a way to adapt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Climate change is too big a problem to be swallowed in a single bite.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But we are back again to the blasted problem that misinformation is as apt to be swallowed by people as factual information.

Huffington Post

If your child has problems swallowing vitamins, avoid purchasing ones that have to be swallowed.

WikiHow

Swallowing is basically an involuntary reflex; one cannot swallow unless there is saliva or some substance to be swallowed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Starting around 1950, Kato [316] and Titchmarsh [647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 654] considered what the perturbation series might mean for a problem like the Stark problem where a discrete eigenvalue is swallowed by continuous spectrum as soon as the perturbation is turned on.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

It deals, he says, with the reality that some companies do not want to be bought; it keeps the management of the partner company happy and committed; and it ducks the political problems that arise when national champions are swallowed up by foreigners.With alliances, though, come other pitfalls.

The Economist

Similar to lung disease, this problem appears to be progressive and the assumption that swallowing function worsens with age is consistent with the progression of neurodegeneration and the bulbar impairments associated with A-T [ 5].

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Indeed swallow artefacts are likely to be a particular problem in patients with chronic cough who frequently sip fluids to suppress their coughing.

Cough

Third, amongst the considered swallowing tasks, dry swallows tend to be recovered most accurately, followed by the wet swallows and lastly by the wet chin down swallows.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

16 Those unable to walk or who required an aid and helper to walk were more likely to have problems eating and swallowing lumpy food, to need food mashed or liquidised, and were also more likely to be fed via a tube.

BMJ Open

Interestingly, too small a volume can also be a problem for dysphagia patients to swallow (Table  4) [ 102].

Drugs

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase sparingly, as it is not a common idiom. Consider alternatives like "a bitter pill to swallow" for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid using this phrase in contexts where literal swallowing is involved. It should primarily be used metaphorically to describe accepting a difficult or unpleasant situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a noun phrase that identifies something negative that must be accepted or tolerated. It acts as a subject complement or object, describing a situation, fact, or decision. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a problem to be swallowed" refers to a difficult situation that one must accept or endure. While grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI confirms, it is not a common idiom. More frequent alternatives like "a bitter pill to swallow" may be more impactful. Usage contexts range from news to scientific discussions, but its infrequent appearance suggests careful consideration when employing this phrase. Use it sparingly to describe unavoidable, unwelcome scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bitter pill to swallow

More idiomatic and implies a sense of unpleasantness that must be accepted.

a tough situation to accept

More direct and focuses on the act of acceptance rather than the inherent difficulty.

a difficult fact to face

Highlights the challenge of confronting a reality, often emphasizing emotional difficulty.

something that must be endured

Emphasizes the aspect of perseverance through a hardship or unwelcome circumstance.

an unwelcome reality to confront

Focuses on the negative feeling associated with acknowledging a specific situation.

a setback to overcome

Suggests a temporary impediment that requires effort to move past.

an obstacle to navigate

Implies a complex challenge requiring careful planning and execution to resolve.

a compromise to make

Emphasizes the need for concessions and adjustments to reach a resolution.

a sacrifice to accept

Highlights the element of loss or surrender involved in dealing with a particular issue.

a challenge to embrace

Suggests a positive approach of willingly confronting and learning from a demanding situation.

FAQs

What does "a problem to be swallowed" mean?

The phrase "a problem to be swallowed" means accepting or enduring a difficult or unpleasant situation, similar to how one might reluctantly swallow a bitter pill. A more common alternative is "a bitter pill to swallow".

What are some alternatives to "a problem to be swallowed"?

Some alternatives include "a difficult situation to accept", "something that must be endured", or simply "a challenge to face" depending on the context.

How can I use "a problem to be swallowed" in a sentence?

You can use "a problem to be swallowed" in a sentence like this: "The unexpected budget cuts were a problem to be swallowed, but we had to find a way to adapt."

Is "a problem to be swallowed" a common expression?

No, "a problem to be swallowed" is not a very common expression. Alternatives like "a bitter pill to swallow" are more frequently used and readily understood.