bitter pill to swallow

1. 不得不忍受的苦事

It was really a bitter pill to swallow at that time.

在当时, 那真是一件不得不忍受的苦事。

Bitter pills may have wholesome effects.

1. 良药苦口。

sugar the pill

1. 使苦事容易被接受

Whenever he wants to borrow money from me, he will try to sugar the pill by saying that he will return the money very soon.

每次他来向我借钱, 总是花言巧语, 说很快就会把钱还我。