a tough spot

A particularly difficult or awkward situation, especially one that is not easy to get out of. Your brother helped me out of a tough spot when I was out of work a few years back, so I'm more than happy to lend him a hand now. Jeremy's been in more tough spots since he left college than I care to recount. I just don't know what's going to become of that boy if he doesn't clean up his act soon. I'm going to be in quite a tough spot if this loan isn't approved.