Grammar fix

bitter experience

unpleasant event

A situation or event that is very unpleasant or painful, often leaving you feeling disappointed or hurt.

collocationB1occasional

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

Losing his job was a bitter experience that taught him a lot about resilience.daily life
I once had a bitter experience when I failed an important exam, but it motivated me to work harder in the future.IELTS speaking

Pattern: bitter experience (of something) / have/go through/suffer a bitter experience

WrongI know it by bitter experience.

RightI know it from bitter experience.

'FROM bitter experience', not 'by'.

Patternbitter experience (of something) / have/go through/suffer a bitter experience

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff I learned this through a profoundly disagreeable and painful ordeal.

Natural I learned that from bitter experience.

'Profoundly disagreeable ordeal' is melodramatic; 'from bitter experience' is the set phrase.

Words that usually travel with it.

'Bitter experience' is stronger than just 'bad experience'—it suggests emotional pain or regret.