The spelling of the word "wrestled with" can be tricky because of its silent letters. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈresəld wɪð/, which indicates that the "w" in "wrestled" is silent and the "t" in "with" is pronounced as a glottal stop. This means that the correct pronunciation of "wrestled with" is "RES-uld with." It's important to be mindful of the silent letters in this word to avoid any pronunciation mistakes.
"Wrestled with" is an idiomatic expression that can have both literal and metaphorical meanings.
In its literal sense, "wrestled with" refers to engaging in physical combat or grappling with an opponent, striving to gain control or achieve victory. It typically involves a mix of strength, skill, technique, and strategy. This term often applies to sports such as wrestling, where individuals try to outmatch each other physically, tactically, and mentally to secure a winning position.
However, "wrestled with" is more commonly used metaphorically to describe a deep internal struggle or conflict an individual experiences within themselves. It implies grappling with complex emotions, conflicting ideas, difficult decisions, or intense moral dilemmas. This figurative meaning suggests a battle between opposing forces in one's mind, trying to resolve a dilemma or find clarity.
When someone says they have "wrestled with" a problem or decision, it indicates that they have invested significant mental and emotional effort in trying to come to terms with it. It implies a prolonged and arduous process of self-reflection, analysis, and contemplation. The term conveys the notion of intense inner turmoil and the challenges encountered in trying to find resolutions or make choices.
Overall, "wrestled with" can describe both physical combat or grappling with an opponent and the figurative struggle of dealing with internal conflicts, dilemmas, or complexities in one's thoughts, emotions, or decision-making process.
The word "wrestled" is derived from the Middle English term "wrestlen", which in turn comes from the Old English word "wrestlian". The Old English term can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "wrestlijan", meaning "to twist, turn". The development of the word can be further traced to the Proto-Indo-European root "wers-", meaning "to twist". Over time, "wrestled" came to describe a physical activity involving grappling, struggling, or contending with an opponent. The addition of "with" in the phrase "wrestled with" simply denotes that the activity involves struggling against or directly engaging with someone or something.