in a pickle
Between two troubles
In a pickle means in a difficult or awkward situation, typically one that's hard to escape: I'm in a real pickle—I promised both of them I'd be there.
The phrase suggests being stuck or trapped, like vegetables suspended in brine.
It's informal and often understates the seriousness of the predicament.
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- troubleDifficulty or distress
- bindFasten or obligate
- between a rock and a hard placeFacing only bad options
- back against the wallDesperate, no alternatives left
catch-22 · on thin ice · tight spot · tough spot · jam · in a jam · up a creek · impasse · quandary · conundrum · hot water · in hot water · in deep water · fix · deadlock · stalemate · in a bind · crossroads
- food idiomspiece of cake, bread winner, low-hanging fruit, cool as a cucumber, bad egg
- predicamentspredicament, dilemma, bind, pinch, plight
- folk sayingsproverb, adage, maxim, folk saying, old saying
in a picklein the clear
Free of blame or danger
out of the woods · sitting pretty · sorted · resolved · home free
in a picklecarefree
Free from anxiety
at ease · worry-free · relaxed · content · unconcerned
pickle, pickled, vinegar, pickles, pickling, brine, brined, unpickled