Idiom
bumpy ride
A difficult or challenging period or experience.
Meanings
A difficult or challenging period or experience characterized by many problems or obstacles.
Definition
When something is described as a "bumpy ride," it means it is a period or process that is full of difficulties, challenges, or unexpected problems. It suggests a journey or experience that is not smooth or easy, often requiring significant effort to navigate. This idiom is commonly used metaphorically to describe situations like projects, relationships, or economic conditions.
Examples
- The new startup faced a rather bumpy ride during its first year, dealing with funding issues and stiff competition.
- Learning a new language can be a bumpy ride at times, but perseverance usually pays off in the long run.
- Their relationship hit a bumpy ride when they moved to different cities for work and struggled with long distance.
- Analysts expect the global economy to have a bumpy ride over the next few months before it starts to stabilize.
- She knew that getting her novel published would be a bumpy ride, but she was determined to see it through.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use "bumpy ride" to describe physical discomfort in literal travel, rather than its more common metaphorical use for difficult experiences.
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