Struggle

To make forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction, To strive or work hard in order to achieve something, To have difficulty or be in a state of conflict or confusion, To move or progress with difficulty

Struggle - Meanings

To make forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction

Example: The hiker struggled to free himself from the thick vines.

Usage: formalContext: physical or literal struggles

Note: Often used in situations where physical effort is involved.

To strive or work hard in order to achieve something

Example: She struggled to finish her thesis before the deadline.

Usage: formalContext: academic or professional settings

Note: Commonly used to describe efforts to overcome challenges or obstacles.

To have difficulty or be in a state of conflict or confusion

Example: He struggled with his decision to change careers.

Usage: formalContext: emotional or mental struggles

Note: Used to express internal conflicts or challenges.

To move or progress with difficulty

Example: The car struggled up the steep hill.

Usage: informalContext: everyday situations

Note: Often used to describe objects or vehicles having difficulty moving.

Struggle's synonyms

Effort

Effort refers to the exertion of physical or mental energy to achieve a goal.

Example: She put in a lot of effort to complete the project on time.

Note: While struggle implies difficulty or resistance, effort focuses on the action of trying hard.

Challenge

A challenge is a task or situation that tests one's abilities or resources.

Example: Overcoming this challenge will require determination and creativity.

Note: Unlike struggle, challenge emphasizes the aspect of testing oneself rather than the difficulty faced.

Endeavor

Endeavor means to make a serious and sincere effort towards achieving a goal.

Example: He endeavored to learn a new language by practicing every day.

Note: Endeavor conveys a sense of purposeful action, while struggle may imply more difficulty or hardship.

Battle

To battle means to engage in a fight or struggle against something challenging.

Example: She is battling with her inner demons to overcome her fears.

Note: Battle suggests a more intense or prolonged struggle, often with a formidable opponent or obstacle.

Struggle expressions, common phrases

Up the creek without a paddle

This phrase means to be in a difficult situation with no means of escape or solution.

Example: I forgot my presentation materials at home, so I'm really up the creek without a paddle.

Note: This idiom emphasizes the feeling of being helpless in a tough situation.

Bite off more than one can chew

To take on a task that is way too big or difficult to handle.

Example: She agreed to take on three projects at once, but I think she's bitten off more than she can chew.

Note: This idiom implies taking on a challenge beyond one's capacity or ability.

Fight an uphill battle

To face a difficult task that seems almost impossible to accomplish.

Example: Trying to convince him to change his mind is like fighting an uphill battle.

Note: This phrase conveys the idea of struggling against overwhelming odds or resistance.

In hot water

To be in trouble or facing a difficult situation due to a mistake or wrongdoing.

Example: She found herself in hot water with her boss after missing the deadline.

Note: This phrase typically refers to being in trouble as a consequence of a specific action or event.

Between a rock and a hard place

To be in a situation where you have to make a difficult decision between two equally undesirable options.

Example: I'm between a rock and a hard place because I need to choose between attending my friend's wedding and meeting a work deadline.

Note: This idiom highlights the dilemma of having to choose between two unfavorable choices.

Go through the wringer

To experience a difficult or exhausting ordeal or process.

Example: After the car accident, I had to go through the wringer dealing with insurance claims and repairs.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the challenging and demanding nature of the experience.

Between the devil and the deep blue sea

To be faced with two equally unpleasant or difficult choices.

Example: He was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea when he had to decide whether to reveal the truth or keep quiet.

Note: This idiom suggests being in a predicament with no good options available.

Struggle everyday (slang) expressions

Struggle bus

The term 'struggle bus' is used to describe a situation where someone is having a hard time or finding things difficult. It implies that the person is metaphorically riding a bus that represents their struggles.

Example: I'm definitely riding the struggle bus today with all this work piling up.

Note: The slang term 'struggle bus' adds a playful and colloquial tone to the concept of struggling.

To be in a pickle

The expression 'to be in a pickle' means to be in a difficult situation or facing a problem that is hard to solve. It signifies being stuck or facing a dilemma.

Example: I'm in a real pickle trying to finish this project by the deadline.

Note: This slang term uses a fun and informal way to convey the idea of being in a tough spot.

To be up against it

Being 'up against it' means being in a challenging situation or facing tough circumstances. It suggests being in a position where success is difficult to achieve.

Example: We're really up against it with this approaching deadline.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the intensity and seriousness of the struggle.

To hit a brick wall

To 'hit a brick wall' means to encounter a point where progress or success is suddenly halted, as if one has run into an insurmountable obstacle.

Example: I've been working on this problem for hours, but it feels like I've hit a brick wall.

Note: The slang term vividly conveys the idea of facing a solid, unyielding barrier in one's path.

To be in a tight spot

Being 'in a tight spot' refers to being in a difficult or challenging situation where finding a solution or a way out is not easy. It conveys a sense of being trapped or constrained.

Example: I'm really in a tight spot financially right now; I don't know how I'll make ends meet.

Note: This phrase suggests being in a position of constraint or difficulty where options are limited.

To be in dire straits

Being 'in dire straits' means being in an extremely difficult or desperate situation. It signifies a critical or severe struggle.

Example: After losing my job, I found myself in dire straits financially.

Note: This term emphasizes the seriousness and urgency of the struggle, typically indicating a crisis or emergency.

Struggle - Examples

Struggle is a part of life.

She is struggling with her addiction.

The company is facing financial struggles.

Struggle grammar

Struggle - Verb (Verb) / Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present)

Lemma: struggle

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): struggles

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): struggle

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): struggled

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): struggling

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): struggles

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): struggle

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): struggle

Syllables, Separation and Stress

struggle Contains 2 syllables: strug • gle

Phonetic transcription: ˈstrə-gəl

strug gle , ˈstrə gəl (The red syllable is stressed)

Struggle - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

struggle: ~ 2300 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Back

Search area