bitter pill 或 bitter medicine 的字面意思都很好理解，就是”苦味的药丸或药“，但它还有其他的比喻，可以意为”苦果，困恼“，寓意：
something which is difficult to accept难以接受的东西 a fact that is hard to come to terms with but usually leaves no choice in relation of acceptance难以接受的事实，但通常没的选择 unrelated to actual medicines or their taste, this is a representation of having to swallow (accept) something not likable for the greater good.与实际的药物或它们的口味无关，为了更好的利益而不得不吞下（接受）不喜欢的东西的一种表现 解析：likable = likeable，意为”可爱的，讨人喜欢的“。 例如：
The workers had to take the bitter medicine of a pay cut instead of the company shutting down because of the heavy competition that they face.因为公司面临激烈的竞争，为了避免倒闭，工人们不得不接受减薪的苦果。 解析：instead of 后面的事物或是动作是要被替代的，而 instead 中的动作是要去做的。 The old man swallowed the bitter medicine of leaving his family behind because he could not see the pain in their eyes for him anymore.老人尝尽了抛妻弃子的苦果，因为他再也看不到家人眼中对他的思念之苦了。 解析：短语动词 leave behind 除了可以表示抛弃或永久离开的意思意外，还可以意为”超过，把…抛在脑后“，例如：
We're going to be left behind by the rest of the world.我们将被全世界甩在后面。 His favourite food is not available so he took the bitter medicine of having what his mother had cooked for everyone at home.他最喜欢的食物没有了，所以他很困恼，只好吃妈妈为家里人做的菜。 解析：anymore 意为”(不)再；再也(不)“，通常用在否定句中。 I took the bitter medicine of quitting my job when I had my baby, but the joy in her eyes when playing with me makes everything worth the while.当我有孩子的时候，我尝到了失业的苦果，但是当看到她和我一起玩时的喜悦，我感到一切都值得。
