in a pickle

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behind the eight ball adj.
between the devil and the deep blue sea adj.
over a barrel adj.

ADJECTIVE

behind the eight ball

Synonyms

WEAK

in Dutch in a tight spot in hot water on the hot seat on-the-spot out on a limb up the creek

ADJECTIVE

between the devil and the deep blue sea

Synonyms

WEAK

Catch-22 Hobson's choice between Scylla and Charybdis between a rock and a hard place between the hammer and the anvil between two fires cornered in a dilemma in a predicament in the middle no choice sitting on a powder keg

ADJECTIVE

over a barrel

Synonyms

WEAK

in a jam in a mess in an awkward position without choices

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

in a pickle

“Am I going to buy it because I want to bathe in a pickle? No,” said Lucas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

The Federal Reserve, which held rates steady following the conclusion of its Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Wednesday, is in a pickle, too.

From Barron's ● Mar. 20, 2026

The erstwhile interim U.S. attorney, then, is in a pickle of his own making.

From Slate ● Mar. 11, 2026

“Cannon is definitely in a pickle, but has nobody to blame but herself for it,” he wrote.

From Salon ● Apr. 3, 2024

“Quinzy’s in a pickle as well. I’m afraid you’re stuck playing the part, old chap.”

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

in a pickle

Example Sentences

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