Struggles and Setbacks

causing a lot of damage or harm

The destructive hurricane left a trail of devastation in its wake.

extremely unsuccessful, unfortunate, or poorly executed

His performance at the recital was disastrous.

difficult to catch or capture

The elusive fox darted through the underbrush, impossible to catch.

serious and solemn in manner or character

Her grave expression conveyed the seriousness of the situation, leaving everyone in the room silent.

not achieving the desired outcome or intended result

The medication proved to be ineffective in treating the patient's condition.

not wanted or considered unpleasant

The undesirable side effects of the medication outweighed its potential benefits.

to overpower someone or something emotionally or mentally, leaving them unable to respond effectively

The news of her promotion overwhelmed her with joy.

without success or achieving the desired result

Despite hours of searching, the lost keys were found in vain, and she had to get a spare set.

to intentionally cause something or someone to fail or experience a negative outcome by creating specific conditions

The unethical business practices were sure to doom the company's reputation and success in the long run.

to pay little or no attention to something or someone, often leading to issues or problems

The company neglected the warnings about the changing market trends, and now they face financial challenges.

to cause a person or thing to come across as less significant

His older brother's achievements in sports overshadowed his own academic success in the family.

a situation in which something fails to work properly, especially because of a mechanical failure

The car had a breakdown on the highway, causing traffic delays.

to place a heavy load or weight on something or someone

The workers had to burden the truck with crates of goods for delivery to the distribution center.

a horrible event that causes much suffering and damage

The earthquake in the region caused widespread devastation and was considered a natural catastrophe.

a situation that shows no signs of progress or improvement

He has tried every avenue to find a job in his field, but he's come to a dead end.

the condition of not having enough of something essential, expected, or required, whether in amount, quality, or strength

The test showed a serious iron deficiency.

to be unsuccessful in accomplishing something

Despite their best efforts, the plan failed.

to quickly move from a higher place toward the ground

Be careful not to slip and fall on the wet floor.

to put blame on someone or something for a mistake or problem

She tends to fault others without considering her own mistakes.

a light, movable barrier that competitors must jump over in certain races

The runner cleared the first hurdle effortlessly.

difficulties caused by something that makes one irritated or uncomfortable

We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the construction noise outside the hotel.

a failure to function or work properly

The sudden malfunction of the elevator left everyone stranded on the top floor.

a state of disorder, untidiness, or confusion

After the party, the living room was a complete mess.

a minor accident that has no serious consequences

Despite a small mishap with the cake, the birthday party was a great success.

the likelihood or probability of something actually taking place

The odds of winning the grand prize in the raffle are one in a thousand.

a mistake made because of forgetting to do or not noticing something

The delay in shipping was due to an oversight in the warehouse, where the order was not processed on time.

a problem that gets in the way of a process or makes it worse

The unexpected financial setback forced them to postpone their expansion plans.

an individual, team, etc. who is regarded as weaker compared to others and has little chance of success as a result

The underdog team surprised everyone by defeating the reigning champions in the final match.

to cause someone problems

His old car often gives him trouble in cold weather.

not yielding the expected result

He tried to convince them to change their minds, but his arguments were to no effect.

in a challenging, confrontational, or adversarial situation

The candidate was up against a tough opponent.

used to indicate confronting or dealing with something directly

The rescue team pressed on in the face of fierce storms, determined to reach the stranded hikers.

causing a negative consequence or cost to someone or something in order to benefit another

His success came at the expense of his personal life, as he devoted all his time to work.

to leave a place to be safe from a dangerous situation

As the wildfire rapidly approached the neighborhood, residents were instructed to evacuate immediately.

to be in a situation where one has to be careful about every decision they make because even one mistake can pose a great risk

I’m walking a tightrope at the moment; one more mistake and I might lose my job.