Phrase guide

cross to bear

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person that one has to accept and deal with, although one finds it very difficult, or it causes trouble or worry over a long period of time.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • We all have our crosses to bear.
  • The loss was a heavy cross for her to bear.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ass in a sling, bind, bucket of syrup, calvary, cauldron, cross, cross to bear, difficulty, dilemma, dire straits, doghouse, fix, hole, jam, kettle, kettle of fish, ordeal, pickle, pinch, plight, predicament, quandary, quagmire, situation, spot, spot of bother, sticky situation, sticky wicket, tight spot, trouble

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

20 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Cantonese: 煩惱 /烦恼 (faan4 nou5) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Chinese Cantonese: 麻煩 /麻烦 (maa4 faan4) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Chinese Cantonese: 心理負擔 /心理负担 (sam1 lei5 fu6 daam1) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Eastern Min Chinese: 麻煩 /麻烦 (mà-huàng) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Hakka Chinese: 煩惱 /烦恼 (fàn-nó) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Hakka Chinese: 麻煩 /麻烦 (mà-fàn) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Hakka Chinese: 心理負擔 /心理负担 (sîm-lî fu-tâm) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Chinese: 煩惱 /烦恼 (zh-min-nan) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Chinese: 麻煩 /麻烦 (zh-min-nan) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Chinese: 心理負擔 /心理负担 (sim-lí hū-tam) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Chinese Mandarin: 煩惱 /烦恼 (fánnǎo) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Chinese Mandarin: 麻煩 /麻烦 (máfan) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Chinese Mandarin: 心理負擔 /心理负担 (xīnlǐ fùdān) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Wu Chinese: 麻煩 /麻烦 — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Danish: kors at bære — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Finnish: taakka — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Finnish: risti kannettavana — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • German: ein/sein Kreuz zu tragen haben) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Japanese: 苦難 (kunan) — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person
  • Spanish: cruz que cargar — a problem, or unpleasant or painful situation or person