predicament
gb/pɹɪdˈɪkəmənt/ us/pɹɪdˈɪkəmənt/
B2
English
szorult helyzet, kínos helyzet
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
in a predicament; [someone] is in a predicament; a predicament about/over [something]
When the flight was canceled, we were in a predicament with no hotel rooms available.
Amikor törölték a járatot, szorult helyzetbe kerültünk, mert egyetlen szabad hotelszoba sem volt.
He realized too late that lying had put him in a predicament he couldn’t talk his way out of.
Túl későn jött rá, hogy a hazugságai olyan szorult helyzetbe hozták, amelyből nem tudta kimagyarázni magát.
The company’s sudden cash shortage left it in a serious predicament.
Learner examples
I am in a predicament and need help.
Szorult helyzetben vagyok, és segítségre van szükségem.
She got into a predicament at work.
Szorult helyzetbe került a munkahelyén.
Common mistake:
Often confused with dilemma; a dilemma focuses on choosing between options, while a predicament is the difficult situation itself.
Meaning
A difficult situation to escape
Collocations
be in a predicament
|find yourself in a predicament
|get into a predicament
|a serious predicament
|a difficult predicament
|a tricky predicament
|an awkward predicament
|a legal predicament
|a financial predicament
|escape a predicament
Synonyms
plight (Often suggests a serious or sympathetic difficult situation.)
|
mess (More informal and can imply confusion or disorder.)
|
tight spot (Informal; emphasizes being stuck with limited options.)
|
difficult situation (More general and less vivid.)
Antonyms
solution (The resolution of the problem rather than the problem situation.)
|
ease (A state of comfort and lack of difficulty.)
Themes
daily_life
|problems
|emotions
Definition
a bad situation that is hard to fix
A difficult or unpleasant situation, especially one that is hard to get out of or solve.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
an awkward/embarrassing predicament; put [someone] in a predicament
I waved back before realizing she wasn’t waving at me, which put me in an awkward predicament.
Visszaintegettem, mielőtt rájöttem volna, hogy nem is nekem intett, és ettől kínos helyzetbe kerültem.
He forgot her name mid-introduction and found himself in a humiliating predicament.
Bemutatás közben elfelejtette a nő nevét, és megalázóan kínos helyzetbe került.
A poorly worded email left her in a predicament with both teams.
Learner examples
That question put me in a difficult predicament.
Az a kérdés kínos helyzetbe hozott.
He was in an embarrassing predicament.
Kínos helyzetben volt.
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for a simple minor inconvenience (e.g., being slightly late) unless you are exaggerating for effect.
Meaning
An embarrassing awkward situation
Collocations
an awkward predicament
|an embarrassing predicament
|a humiliating predicament
|a personal predicament
|put someone in a predicament
|leave someone in a predicament
|avoid a predicament
|a predicament of your own making
Synonyms
awkward situation (More neutral; doesn’t always imply being stuck.)
|
embarrassment (Focuses on the feeling rather than the situation.)
|
bind (Often implies being trapped by obligations or constraints.)
Antonyms
comfort (A relaxed state with no awkwardness or pressure.)
|
confidence (A feeling of assurance rather than embarrassment.)
Themes
social
|emotions
|daily_life
Definition
an awkward or embarrassing situation
An awkward or embarrassing situation, often caused by a mistake or misunderstanding.
Grammar
Dictionary form
predicament
IPA
GB/pɹɪdˈɪkəmənt/
US/pɹɪdˈɪkəmənt/
Syllables & stress
pre - dic - a - ment (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (dic)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: predicament
- Plural: predicaments
Word family
Forms
predicaments
noun
Expressions
a bit of a predicament
1/ə bˈɪt əv ə pɹɪdˈɪkəmənt/
fixed phrase
informal
a small but real problem
a small (or joked-about) bad situation
Examples
- I’m in a bit of a predicament—I promised to be in two places at once.
- We’re in a bit of a predicament since the printer died right before the deadline.
Learner examples
- I’m in a bit of a predicament.
find yourself in a predicament
1/fˈaɪnd jʊɹsˈɛlf ˈɪn ə pɹɪdˈɪkəmənt/
fixed phrase
suddenly be in trouble
to suddenly be in a bad situation
Examples
- I found myself in a predicament when my card was declined at the counter.
- After one wrong turn, we found ourselves in a predicament miles from the nearest town.
Learner examples
- He found himself in a predicament.
get into a predicament
1/ɡˈɛt ˈɪntu ə pɹɪdˈɪkəmənt/
fixed phrase
end up in trouble
to get into a bad situation
Examples
- He got into a predicament by agreeing to help both sides.
- If you lend money to friends, you can easily get into a predicament.
Learner examples
- She got into a predicament at school.
get someone out of a predicament
1/ɡˈɛt sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈaʊt əv ə pɹɪdˈɪkəmənt/
fixed phrase
help someone escape trouble
to help someone out of trouble
Examples
- Her colleague stepped in to get her out of a predicament with the client.
- Thanks for getting me out of that predicament—I owe you one.
Learner examples
- Can you get me out of this predicament?
in a predicament
1/ˈɪn ə pɹɪdˈɪkəmənt/
fixed phrase
being in a difficult situation
in a bad situation
Examples
- I’m in a predicament because I lost my wallet and my phone.
- They were in a predicament when the key snapped in the lock.
Learner examples
- We are in a predicament.
- He is in a predicament.