kicks in the teeth
Brutal unexpected disappointments
A kick in the teeth is a sudden, demoralizing setback—a blow that comes when you're vulnerable or least expect it.
The phrase emphasizes how personally wounding the disappointment feels: Losing the promotion to someone less qualified was a real kick in the teeth.
The plural form describes repeated or multiple such blows: Life kept handing him kicks in the teeth.
- job lossInvoluntary departure from work
- slap in the faceHumiliating rebuke or rejection
- gut punchShocking emotional blow
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
rejection · cold shoulder · indignation · stab in the back · salt in the wound · low blow · humiliation · betrayal · failure · bitter pill to swallow · shame · financial hardship · personal conflict · bad luck · tough break · raw deal · rude awakening · reality check
kicks in the teethblessings
Favors from the divine
shots in the arm · strokes of luck · windfalls · gifts · godsends
kicks in the teethhelping hands
Voluntary assistance from others
favors · kindnesses · breaks · lucky breaks · blessings