ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take the bitter with the sweet

idiom
Meaning

To accept positive things with negative things.


Examples
SIMPLE

Life is not perfect, so you must take the bitter with the sweet.

CONTEXTUAL

Living in a big city is exciting, but you have to take the bitter with the sweet, like the high rent and the noise.

COMPLEX

While the promotion offered a significant increase in salary and prestige, she knew she would have to take the bitter with the sweet, including the long hours and the added pressure.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bitter end

    The end of a long and difficult process.

  2. 02

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  3. 03

    forget to take one's medication this morning

    To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

  4. 04

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  5. 05

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

  6. 06

    home sweet home

    Expressing contentment or relief at residing in or returning to one's own home.

  7. 07

    I take it

    Used to express one's understanding of another's position.

  8. 08

    keep someone sweet

    To keep someone friendly or satisfied by complying with their wishes or preferences.

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