Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows — sometimes, bad things happen. Whether you’re talking to a friend, writing a story, or just trying to express exactly what you feel, knowing special idioms and phrases can help you share your experiences in a more colorful, relatable way.
In this article, we’ll explore 25 idioms about bad things happening, each with a hidden meaning that goes beyond the words themselves. I’ve used these expressions myself — when life throws challenges your way, having the right words helps you feel less alone and more understood. Let’s dive in, learn, and maybe find the perfect phrase for life’s tougher moments.
1. When it rains, it pours
Meaning: Bad things tend to happen all at once.
In a sentence: “First, I lost my keys, then my car broke down — when it rains, it pours!”
Best use: To describe a series of unfortunate events piling up.
Other ways to say: One thing after another, trouble comes in droves.
2. A string of bad luck
Meaning: A series of negative occurrences.
In a sentence: “He’s had a string of bad luck with jobs lately.”
Best use: To describe repeated failures or misfortunes.
Other ways to say: Bad streak, rough patch.
3. A storm is brewing
Meaning: Trouble is on the way.
In a sentence: “With all these arguments, I sense a storm is brewing.”
Best use: To talk about rising tension or conflict.
Other ways to say: Trouble is coming, something bad is about to happen.
4. The calm before the storm
Meaning: A quiet period before chaos.
In a sentence: “The office is quiet now — just the calm before the storm.”
Best use: To hint at upcoming challenges.
Other ways to say: Temporary peace, uneasy silence.
5. Hit the fan
Meaning: Things go chaotic or wrong.
In a sentence: “When the truth came out, everything hit the fan.”
Best use: To describe when a situation suddenly worsens.
Other ways to say: All hell breaks loose, blow up.
6. Throw a spanner in the works
Meaning: Introduce an obstacle.
In a sentence: “Her sudden resignation threw a spanner in the works.”
Best use: To describe unexpected complications.
Other ways to say: Mess things up, ruin plans.
7. In hot water
Meaning: In trouble.
In a sentence: “He’s in hot water with his boss again.”
Best use: To talk about someone facing consequences.
Other ways to say: In deep trouble, in a jam.
8. Out of the frying pan and into the fire
Meaning: Escaping one bad situation only to land in another.
In a sentence: “Switching jobs turned out to be out of the frying pan and into the fire.”
Best use: When a solution creates a bigger problem.
Other ways to say: From bad to worse.
9. Add insult to injury
Meaning: Make a bad situation worse.
In a sentence: “They fired him and, to add insult to injury, refused his last paycheck.”
Best use: When a problem is made more painful.
Other ways to say: Rub salt in the wound.
10. The last straw
Meaning: The final problem that makes things unbearable.
In a sentence: “The broken heater was the last straw — we moved out.”
Best use: When you can’t tolerate more.
Other ways to say: Final blow, breaking point.
11. Bottom falls out
Meaning: Situation deteriorates drastically.
In a sentence: “When the company lost funding, the bottom fell out.”
Best use: Talking about sudden collapse.
Other ways to say: Everything falls apart.
12. When the chips are down
Meaning: When things are at their worst.
In a sentence: “When the chips are down, true friends stay.”
Best use: To talk about facing tough times.
Other ways to say: Hard times, difficult moments.
13. Back against the wall
Meaning: Facing limited options.
In a sentence: “With debts piling up, she had her back against the wall.”
Best use: To describe desperate situations.
Other ways to say: Cornered, no way out.
14. Face the music
Meaning: Accept consequences.
In a sentence: “He lied on his resume — now he must face the music.”
Best use: Taking responsibility for actions.
Other ways to say: Own up, accept reality.
15. Behind the eight ball
Meaning: In a tough spot or disadvantageous position.
In a sentence: “After missing that deadline, I’m behind the eight ball.”
Best use: When you’re stuck in a difficult situation.
Other ways to say: At a disadvantage.
16. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Accusing the wrong person or pursuing the wrong course.
In a sentence: “If you think I took your book, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
Best use: When someone’s focus is misplaced.
Other ways to say: Off track, mistaken.
17. Bite the bullet
Meaning: Endure something unpleasant.
In a sentence: “He decided to bite the bullet and get the surgery.”
Best use: Doing something tough but necessary.
Other ways to say: Face it head-on.
18. Beating around the bush
Meaning: Avoiding the main topic.
In a sentence: “Stop beating around the bush and tell me what’s wrong.”
Best use: When someone won’t get to the point.
Other ways to say: Evade, stall.
19. On thin ice
Meaning: In a risky or dangerous situation.
In a sentence: “He’s on thin ice with the manager.”
Best use: To warn about possible trouble.
Other ways to say: Walking a fine line.
20. Heavy cross to bear
Meaning: A tough burden or responsibility.
In a sentence: “Caring for him alone is a heavy cross to bear.”
Best use: Describing emotional or physical hardship.
Other ways to say: Burden, hardship.
21. Blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something bad that turns out good.
In a sentence: “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise.”
Best use: Finding positives in negatives.
Other ways to say: Silver lining.
22. Snowball effect
Meaning: Small problems that grow larger.
In a sentence: “Debt can have a snowball effect if ignored.”
Best use: Describing worsening problems.
Other ways to say: Spiral out of control.
23. Fuel to the flames
Meaning: Make a bad situation worse.
In a sentence: “His comments just added fuel to the flames.”
Best use: When someone escalates a conflict.
Other ways to say: Make things worse.
24. All bark and no bite
Meaning: Threatens but does nothing.
In a sentence: “Don’t worry, he’s all bark and no bite.”
Best use: Reassure when someone is intimidating.
Other ways to say: Empty threats.
25. Beating a dead horse
Meaning: Wasting time on something hopeless.
In a sentence: “Talking to him about it again is beating a dead horse.”
Best use: When persistence is pointless.
Other ways to say: Pointless effort.
FAQs
1. Why use idioms about bad things happening?
They help us talk about tough times in a way that feels more relatable and expressive.
2. Are idioms universal?
Some idioms exist in many languages, but most are unique to English.
3. How can I learn to use idioms naturally?
Read stories, watch shows, and talk with native speakers — you’ll pick them up naturally.
4. Can idioms make my writing better?
Absolutely! They make your language colorful, engaging, and more human.
5. Are idioms formal or casual?
Most idioms are best in conversation, stories, or creative writing — not in very formal writing.
Conclusion
Bad things happen — that’s life. But when you have the right words, you can share your feelings, talk to friends, or write about your experiences in a way that feels real and warm. These idioms have helped me describe my own tough times, and I hope they’ll help you too.
Next time life throws you a curveball, remember — you’re not alone, and you have the words to talk about it.
