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
Recent Examples on the Web
Don’t sit on this chance to upgrade your living room for less.
Between kids snacking, pets pawing, and everyday lounging, my family puts our sofa through the wringer.
—
Jeaneen Russell, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
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, 13 Aug. 2025
Employees of Paramount Global have been through the wringer over the last year and a half.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 July 2025
The Wolves would have to come to them in Chicago, a way for Floyd to reduce the strain on a client who had been through the wringer that week.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for through the wringer
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Jeaneen Russell, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
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, 13 Aug. 2025
Employees of Paramount Global have been through the wringer over the last year and a half.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 July 2025
The Wolves would have to come to them in Chicago, a way for Floyd to reduce the strain on a client who had been through the wringer that week.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for through the wringer
Cite this Entry
“Through the wringer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/through%20the%20wringer. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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