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
That hasn't stopped the administration from putting US tech through the wringer at home, though.
—
Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for through the wringer
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025
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
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 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share