difficulty

• In a pickle

  To be in a difficult, troublesome, or awkward situation from which it is hard to escape.

• A hard nut to crack

  A difficult problem to solve or a person who is hard to understand or deal with.

• An uphill battle

  A very difficult struggle or challenge that requires great effort and is unlikely to succeed without significant exertion.

• Needle in a haystack

  Something that is incredibly difficult or nearly impossible to find due to its small size or the vastness of its surroundings.

• Herding cats

  To attempt to organize or control a group of independent, uncooperative, or chaotic individuals or tasks is often described as herding cats.

• Get into a tangle

  To become involved in a complicated, confused, or problematic situation.

• Thread the needle

  To perform a very delicate, precise, or difficult task, often involving careful navigation through a complex or narrow situation.

• Dig oneself into a hole

  To get into an increasingly difficult or problematic situation, often through one's own actions.

• Up to your neck in something

  To be deeply involved, overwhelmed, or burdened by a difficult situation, an excessive amount of work, or serious problems.

• To be up against a brick wall

  To encounter an insurmountable obstacle or a complete lack of progress in a situation.

• To be stuck between a rock and a hard place

  To be in a difficult situation where both available choices are equally unpleasant or undesirable.

• nail jelly to a wall

  To attempt an impossible or exceedingly difficult task, particularly one that involves controlling something inherently unmanageable or elusive.

• Tough pill to swallow

  Something that is difficult, unpleasant, or painful to accept or believe.

• A troubled past

  A personal history marked by difficulties, problems, or unfortunate experiences.

• Hard to read

  Difficult to decipher or understand, either due to illegible handwriting, complex content, or an unexpressive demeanor.

• A daunting task

  A task that seems intimidating or overwhelmingly difficult to accomplish.

• A thorny issue

  A thorny issue is a difficult, sensitive, or complicated problem that is hard to resolve without causing further complications or distress.

• A Gordian knot

  A Gordian knot refers to an extremely complex, intricate, or insoluble problem that requires a bold, unconventional, or decisive solution.

• To hit a brick wall

  To encounter an insurmountable obstacle or a point beyond which no further progress can be made.

• A quagmire

  A quagmire refers to a difficult, complex, or dangerous situation from which it is hard to escape.

• A snag

  An unexpected problem, difficulty, or obstacle that causes a delay or prevents progress.

• A thorn in one's side

  A person or thing that persistently causes trouble, annoyance, or difficulty for someone.

• A real handful

  Someone or something that is very difficult to control, manage, or deal with.

• A downward spiral

  A downward spiral describes a situation that continuously deteriorates, with each negative development leading to further decline.

• Like finding a needle in a haystack

  Describing a task that is extremely difficult or practically impossible to achieve due to the overwhelming number of similar or irrelevant items.

• A hitch

  A temporary and usually minor problem or delay that disrupts progress.

• Bogged down

  To be hindered or stuck in a difficult situation, preventing progress or movement.

• To pull off the impossible

  To successfully achieve a feat that was widely considered extremely difficult, if not entirely unattainable.

• A tough climb

  This phrase describes a challenging and difficult undertaking that requires significant effort, perseverance, and resilience to accomplish.

• A Sisyphean task

  A Sisyphean task is an extremely laborious, repetitive, and futile effort that offers no ultimate reward or completion.

• An arduous task

  A task that is extremely difficult, demanding a great deal of effort, endurance, and perseverance.

• A daunting challenge

  Something that is extremely difficult or intimidating to undertake.

• Convoluted

  Something convoluted is intricately twisted, complex, and difficult to understand or follow.

• Hard to pin down

  To be difficult to understand, define, or get a firm commitment or explanation from.

• Like trying to nail Jell-O to a wall

  It describes a task that is incredibly difficult or impossible to accomplish because the subject is elusive, uncooperative, or lacks any stable form.

• Minefield

  A minefield is a situation or topic filled with hidden dangers, potential problems, or controversial issues that are difficult to navigate without causing trouble.

• Bite off more than one can chew

  To attempt a task or commitment that is too large or difficult for one's capacity.

• Thicket of problems

  A large, dense, and tangled collection of difficulties that are hard to navigate or resolve.

• Morass

  A morass is a difficult and confusing situation that is hard to get out of, or literally, a soft, wet area of land like a bog.

• Caught between a rock and a hard place

  To be in a difficult situation where one must choose between two equally unpleasant or unfavorable options.

• Crawling along

  To move or progress very slowly, often with difficulty or a distinct lack of energy or momentum.

• No way out

  A situation where escape, resolution, or an alternative path seems entirely impossible or blocked.

• In a tight spot

  To be in a difficult, challenging, or precarious situation with limited options or resources.

• In dire straits

  To be in a very difficult, serious, or urgent situation, often involving financial hardship or extreme peril.