through the wringer

idiom

informal
: through a series of very difficult or unpleasant experiences
Those poor people have really gone/been through the wringer lately.
They were put through the wringer by the adoption agency.

Examples of through the wringer in a Sentence

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The Houston Astros and third baseman Alex Bregman have been through the wringer with the speculation and rumors this winter now that Bregman is a free agent. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024 Above all, early menopause can really put your mental health through the wringer. Katie Camero, SELF, 26 Nov. 2024 And if your pair looks a little dingy after putting them through the wringer on vacation, don’t stress—the Tree Runners can go right in the washing machine. Sara Coughlin, SELF, 27 Sep. 2024 That means to the world to somebody who’s been thrown through the wringer and discarded and kicked to the curb. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for through the wringer 

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Cite this Entry

“Through the wringer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/through%20the%20wringer. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

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