# gall and wormwood

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/gall-and-wormwood
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

bitterness and resentment

## Examples

- Their constant arguing is gall and wormwood to me.
- The unfair decision felt like gall and wormwood, leaving him with a deep sense of resentment toward his former partners.
- The memory of his betrayal remained gall and wormwood, a bitter reminder of the trust he had once placed in his closest friend.

## Origin

From Deuteronomy 29:18 of the King James Bible.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.