through the wringer

through the wringer

Through some ordeal, difficulty, trial, or punishment; through an unpleasant experience. Between my mother's bout with cancer, Jenny losing her job, and the bank threatening to foreclose on the house, our family has really been put through the wringer this year. Jake wasn't a great fit for the military, and he was constantly being put through the wringer for disobedience.See also: through, wringer