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In a Pickle

Definition

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When someone says they are “in a pickle,” they are using an idiom to express that they are in a difficult or challenging situation. The phrase “in a pickle” originated from the 16th century and was first used by Shakespeare in his play “The Tempest.” Being “in a pickle” implies that a person is facing a problem or predicament that is not easy to resolve. It conveys a sense of being stuck or trapped in a tricky or uncomfortable circumstance, much like being stuck in a jar of pickled cucumbers, hence the origin of the idiom.

People often use this idiom in a light-hearted or humorous way to describe a situation that may be troublesome but not overly serious. It can also be used to acknowledge a mistake or error that has led to a challenging situation.

Example sentences

When I missed the last bus, I found myself in a pickle trying to get home.

After locking my keys in the car, I was definitely in a pickle in the middle of nowhere.

The chef realized he was in a pickle when he ran out of a key ingredient for the dish.

The team was in a pickle when their main supplier suddenly went out of business.

When the power went out during the storm, the family was in a pickle trying to cook dinner without electricity.

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