An idiom meaning to experience something bitter or humiliating, such as suffering defeat or a serious setback.
決勝戦で負けて、チームは苦杯をなめた。
The team tasted bitter defeat when they lost in the final.
新製品は市場で失敗し、会社は苦杯をなめることになった。
The new product failed in the market, and the company suffered a bitter setback.
政治家は不正疑惑で苦杯をなめた。
The politician suffered disgrace over allegations of misconduct.