Why Are People Smuggling Eggs Across the Border
a tough pill to swallow: something that is hard to accept because it is unpleasant or disappointing
Egg prices in the U.S. have skyrocketed due to bird flu, which has reduced the supply of eggs. The average price is now over $8 for one dozen. As a result, U.S. border officers are now catching more egg smugglers than fentanyl drug smugglers.
Since October, U.S. border officers have stopped 3,768 people smuggling eggs compared to just 352 people smuggling fentanyl. In some areas, like San Diego, the number of egg seizures has gone up by 158%.
Many Americans feel the high price of eggs is a tough pill to swallow, but bringing them into the U.S. without permission is not allowed. If they get caught smuggling, they could face a $300 fine.
Some people blame the government for the rising egg prices and other rising costs. President Trump, who was elected after promising to bring down prices, is tired of hearing the complaints. He recently shared a post on social media saying, “Shut Up About Egg Prices.”
Sample sentences
After working so hard, failing the test was a tough pill to swallow, but she promised to try again.
When the company announced job cuts, it was a tough pill to swallow for many employees.
The doctor told him to stop eating sugar because of his health. It was a tough pill to swallow, but he knew it was necessary.
Origin
The phrase comes from real medicine. Some pills are large, bitter, or hard to swallow, making them difficult to take. Over time, people started using it to describe situations that are difficult to accept emotionally, not just physically.
Read More:
The U.S. is making more seizures of illegal eggs than fentanyl at its Canadian and Mexican borders
‘Shut Up About Egg Prices’: Trump Shares Brazen Message About High Costs