trials and tribulations
Struggles and sufferings
Trials and tribulations are difficulties and sufferings, especially a series of hardships endured over time.
The phrase is somewhat redundant—both words mean troubles—but the pairing intensifies the sense of prolonged struggle: After many trials and tribulations, they finally opened the restaurant.
The expression often carries a tone of hard-won wisdom or resilience.
Severe difficulty or suffering
- ordealDifficult, painful experience
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
misfortune · setback · affliction · difficulty · woe · distress · anguish · grief
Sustained resolve despite obstacles
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
tenacity · survival · coping · overcoming · weathering · patience · strength · stamina
- JobBiblical patience exemplar
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- deliveranceRescue from bondage
blessing in disguise · refinement · purification · providence · karma · growth · transformation · lesson
adversity
Severe difficulty or suffering
- ordealDifficult, painful experience
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
struggle · misfortune · setback · affliction · difficulty · woe · distress · anguish · grief · misery
perseverance
Sustained resolve despite obstacles
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- determinationFirmness of purpose
grit · tenacity · survival · coping · overcoming · weathering · patience · strength · stamina · resolve
test of faith
- JobBiblical patience exemplar
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
deliverance · blessing in disguise · refinement · purification · providence · karma · growth · transformation · lesson · awakening
- Epic mythologyhero's journey, epic quest, legendary voyage, divine intervention, mythical creatures
trials and tribulationsblessings
Favors from the divine
good fortune · good times · the good life · sweetness and light · milk and honey
trials and tribulationssmooth sailing
Untroubled progress forward
easy street · plain sailing · clear sailing · bed of roses · walk in the park
trials and tribulationsgood fortune
Favorable chance outcomes
halcyon days · golden age · milk and honey · life of Riley · clover