in a pickle

in a pickle

In a troublesome or difficult situation. The adjectives "pretty" and "right" are commonly used before "pickle." Boy, am I in a pickle—I accidentally made plans to meet with two different clients today. We're in a pretty pickle now because the hotel gave our room away. Oh, we're in a pickle, all right! Just how are we going to explain this to the boss without getting fired?

See also: pickle

in a pretty pickle

In a troublesome or difficult situation. Boy, am I in a pretty pickle—I accidentally made plans to meet with two different clients today. We're in a pretty pickle now because the hotel gave our room away. Oh, we're in a pretty pickle, all right! Just how are we going to explain this to the boss without getting fired?

See also: pickle, pretty

in a right pickle

In a troublesome or difficult situation. Boy, am I in a right pickle—I accidentally made plans to meet with two different clients today. We're in a right pickle now because the hotel gave our room away. Oh, I'll say we're in a right pickle! Just how are we going to explain this to the boss without getting fired?

See also: pickle, right

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*in a (pretty) pickle

Fig. in a mess; in trouble. (*Typically: be ~; get [into] ~.) John has gotten himself into a pickle. He has two dates for the party. Now we are in a pretty pickle. We are out of gas.

See also: pickle

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

in a (real, right, etc.) ˈpickle

(informal) in a difficult situation; in a mess: Things are in a real pickle at the moment, I’m afraid. My assistant’s left and I’m completely lost without him! ♢ Can you help me? I’m in a bit of a pickle.

See also: pickle

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017