Chief executive Tim Ford was awarded a $2.5 million bonus nonetheless, a "bitter pill" for workers to swallow after their wage freeze, Mr Kennedy said.

Source: https://www.perthnow.com.au/business/grange-on-hold-as-penfolds-workers-strike-for-pay-rise-c-12886814

For a Kings team that has now allowed two goals or fewer outside of empty-net goals and shootouts in 15 of its past 16 games, the loss was a bitter pill at a moment when the group was ailing for a big win.

Source: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/04/04/leon-draisaitl-propels-oilers-past-kings-into-2nd-in-pacific-division/

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Norwich, who had won their first two league games under their new head coach, David Wagner.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/feb/04/championship-roundup-burnley-beat-norwich-as-relentless-march-goes-on

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Palace, who will now be looking nervously over their shoulders at a potential relegation dogfight after failing to hold on to a lead for the second time against these opponents this season.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/feb/18/brentford-crystal-palace-premier-league-match-report

Losing in the NFL is always a bitter pill to swallow.

Source: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/11/browns-reporter-details-frustration-he-felt-in-steelers-locker-room-after-sundays-loss/

The decision by the party high command was a bitter pill to swallow for Gali.

Source: https://www.siasat.com/telangana-polls-disgruntled-cong-workers-attempt-self-immolation-at-gandhi-bhavan-2771576/