bitter pill

基本解释

Both were the right thing to do, but doing them simultaneously increased costs and made a bitter pill for investors.
所有的事情都是对的，但同时做这些事增加了成本，并且给投资者开了味苦药。
Over thepast six years the House Republicans have repeatedly snuffled up the sugar that had been meant to make the bitter pill of entitlement reform go down, without swallowing the hard stuff.
在过去超过六年（的时间）众议院共和党人在没有耗尽现金的情况下，已经反复地嗅着去找那个已经意味着减少制造”合法权利改革”苦药丸的糖。
A tough loss, and a bitter pill to swallow, but with distance the US players can certainly be proud of their efforts.
这是一场艰难的失败，一颗难以吞咽的苦果。但长远地看，美国球员可以当之无愧地为自己的努力而骄傲。

For industrialists paying reluctantly to clean up their act, that must be a bitter pill.
ECONOMIST: Emissions
In contrast, social is a patience game, which for many can be a bitter pill.
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Her prescription is to "fess up" and take the bitter pill that is cost evaluation.
FORBES: Magazine Article