in a pickle

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.

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

“Coca-Cola, one of the most exported American food products in existence and soy sauce, one of the most exported Asian food products in existence, find love in a pickle recipe.”

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2025

Icelandic supermarkets have been left in a pickle, after a viral TikTok trend saw an unprecedented surge in demand for cucumbers - leaving suppliers racing to keep up.

From BBC • Aug. 23, 2024

“If I took these, it’d sure leave Hattie Mae in a pickle and a quandary and she wouldn’t be able to type either one.”

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool

in a pickle

Example Sentences

Related Words