10 English Idioms For Problems & Difficulties

#1 – At Your ______’ End

= when you are at the limit of your mental resources, desperate and without additional options

“I’ve been trying to download the file all day and I keep getting an error message – I’m ______________.

#2 – _______-22

= a situation in which it’s impossible to succeed because of conflicting rules or conditions

“Getting your first job is a __________ because companies want to hire someone with experience, but
how can I get experience unless someone gives me a job?”

#3 – Dodged A ________

= barely escaped from a dangerous/disastrous situation

“One of my ex-boyfriends later became a drug dealer! I’m glad I broke up with him – I definitely ______.

#4 – The ________ Of The Matter

= the most essential or main part of the problem

“Of course there are a number of things that the country needs to improve, but the _________ is that
the politicians are corrupt.”

#6 – In _______ Straits

= in a very serious, very bad situation

“Harry has been unemployed for the past three years – he’s really ______________”

#8 – Last _________

= an option you use as a “last chance” when there are no other options available

“If we can’t stay with any of our friends in London, then we can always book a hotel as __________.”

#9 – The Tip Of The ___________________

= only a small part of the problem; the biggest part of the problem is hidden

“My parents’ arguing about where to go on vacation was only ___________ ; they treated each other
horribly throughout their marriage.”

#10 – A Vicious ________

= when one problem causes another problem, which then causes the first problem again

“When I gain weight, I have less energy to exercise… and when I do less exercise, I gain even more
weight. It’s a _________________.”