[Idiom] idioms meaning "in difficult situation"

[Olenek]

Hi everyone,

There are some idioms which describe different difficult situations:

- To be in a double bind (a person must choose between equally unsatisfactory alternatives)
- To be in a corner/ tight corner/ place
- To be in a cleft stick (to have a problem which is very difficult to solve)
- To be in deep water/ waters ( in a dangerous or vulnerable situation)
- To be batting on a sticky wicket/ To be on a sticky wicket (difficult or embarrassing problem or situation)
- To be in a hole/ spot (in debt)
- To be in a bad way (the patient's condition is very serious)

Are they really used in your country? How often?

Do you know another idiom with this meaning?

Many Thanks to everyone!

 

[Raymott]

Hi everyone,

There are some idioms which describe different difficult situations:

- To be in a double bind (a person must choose between equally unsatisfactory alternatives)
- To be in a corner/ tight corner/ place
- To be in a cleft stick (to have a problem which is very difficult to solve)
- To be in deep water/ waters ( in a dangerous or vulnerable situation)
- To be batting on a sticky wicket/ To be on a sticky wicket (difficult or embarrassing problem or situation)
- To be in a hole/ spot (in debt)
- To be in a bad way (the patient's condition is very serious)

Are they really used in your country? How often?

Do you know another idiom with this meaning?

Many Thanks to everyone!

- To be up sh*t creek [without a paddle.]

 

[freezeframe]

- To be up sh*t creek [without a paddle.]

Continuing with the theme...

to be knee deep in sh*t

 

[Amigos4]

"He is in a catch-22 situation!"

 

[buggles]

...between a rock and a hard place.
...in it up to your neck.
...between the devil and the deep blue sea.

 

[Amigos4]

"He's in a no win situation!"

 

[freezeframe]

I'm in a pickle.


http://images.buycostumes.com/mgen/merchandiser/31069.jpg

 

[Amigos4]

I'm in a jam!

 

[freezeframe]

I'm with my back against/to the wall.

 

[Amigos4]

"He's got me by the balls!"

"He's got me by the short hairs!"

"I'll be lucky to ever see daylight, again!"

 

[Amigos4]

Hi everyone,

There are some idioms which describe different difficult situations:

- To be in a double bind (a person must choose between equally unsatisfactory alternatives) This idiom is clearly understood in AmE. It is heard/spoken infrequently.
- To be in a corner/ tight corner/ place This idiom is clearly understood in AmE. It is heard/spoken frequently.
- To be in a cleft stick (to have a problem which is very difficult to solve) This idiom would not be clearly understood in AmE. I've never heard of it!
- To be in deep water/ waters ( in a dangerous or vulnerable situation) This idiom is clearly understood in AmE. It is heard/spoken frequently.
- To be batting on a sticky wicket/ To be on a sticky wicket (difficult or embarrassing problem or situation) This idiom is somewhat understood in AmE. It is heard/spoken infrequently and has a definite British quality about it.
- To be in a hole/ spot (in debt) This idiom is clearly understood in AmE. It is heard/spoken frequently.
- To be in a bad way (the patient's condition is very serious) This idiom is clearly understood in AmE. It is heard/spoken frequently.

Are they really used in your country? How often?

Do you know another idiom with this meaning?

Many Thanks to everyone!

Hi, Olenek!

We never really answered your questions, did we?

Are they really used in your country? How often?

See comments in shaded area above.

Cheers,
Amigos

 

[Olenek]

We never really answered your questions, did we?

Are they really used in your country? How often?

See comments in shaded area above.

Cheers,
Amigos

Thanks, Amigos! :up:

This information is very important and necessary for me!

Best regards,
Olya

 

[Amigos4]

Thanks, Amigos! :up:

This information is very important and necessary for me!

Best regards,
Olya

Olya, I am curious! Why are English idioms 'very important and necessary' for you? Do you use English idioms on a regular basis in Russia? ;-)

 

[Olenek]

Olya, I am curious! Why are English idioms 'very important and necessary' for you? Do you use English idioms on a regular basis in Russia? ;-)

I'm writing a large graduate work about your idioms.
Their meanings, sometimes origins are given in different dictionaries.
But I don't know whether people in UK, USA or Australia really speak them nowadays!
There is no such information in any book.
Also in this question the opinion of native speakers is much more weighty for me than the opinion of Russian authors.
And you know much more than Russian authors write in their books.
At last I'm very interested in your language!

 

[Amigos4]

I'm writing a large graduate work about your idioms.
Their meanings, sometimes origins are given in different dictionaries.
But I don't know whether people in UK, USA or Australia really speak them nowadays!
There is no such information in any book.
Also in this question the opinion of native speakers is much more weighty for me than the opinion of Russian authors.
And you know much more than Russian authors write in their books.
At last I'm very interested in your language!

Your reply is well written, Olya! Congratulations!

Ask away, my friend! We'll be happy to assist you with your questions! :up:

 

[Tdol]

Olya, I am curious! Why are English idioms 'very important and necessary' for you? Do you use English idioms on a regular basis in Russia? ;-)

Shouldn't everyone use them? ;-)

 

[SanMar]

If one is in a difficult situation without any foreseeable resolution....

I'm screwed.
I'm so screwed.

In Canada you'd hear this a lot and it is not generally considered rude but it is informal.


Not a teacher.

 

[freezeframe]

I'm screwed.
I'm so screwed.

In Canada you'd hear this a lot and it is not generally considered rude but it is informal.

Yes, of course!

Although I usually say the more colorful version "I'm so/really f**ked".

An educator of youth.

 

[SanMar]

Yes, of course!

Although I usually say the more colorful version "I'm so/really f**ked".

An educator of youth.

Actually so do I but I think screwed is more popular or acceptable (although not as effective in my opinion).

Not a teacher.

 

[riquecohen]

I've never heard of being "in a double bind," only "in a bind."
We sometimes hear that someone is "between Scylla and Charybdis." Another expression used to indicate a choice between two negative alternatives is "damned if you do, damned if you don't."