How do you use "In a pickle" in a sentence?

I'm in a real pickle — I promised both friends I'd go to their parties tonight. We found ourselves in quite a pickle when the car broke down in the middle of nowhere. If you don't save your work, you'll be in a pickle when the power goes out.

In a pickle

Q: What does "In a pickle" mean?

In a difficult or awkward situation; in trouble. A lighthearted way to describe being stuck in a tricky situation. The trouble is usually not life-threatening but definitely uncomfortable — like being double-booked, running out of gas in a remote area, or forgetting your wallet at a restaurant.

American Slang Term American ★★★★☆ Common informal

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Significado: In a difficult or awkward situation; in trouble.

处于困境或尴尬的局面；遇到麻烦。

En una situación difícil o embarazosa; en un aprieto.

困った状況や厄介な立場にいること。窮地に陥ること。

곤란한 상황이나 난처한 처지에 있는 것. 궁지에 빠진 것.

A lighthearted way to describe being stuck in a tricky situation. The trouble is usually not life-threatening but definitely uncomfortable — like being double-booked, running out of gas in a remote area, or forgetting your wallet at a restaurant.

一种轻松的方式来描述陷入棘手局面。这种麻烦通常不是致命的，但肯定让人不舒服——比如时间冲突、在偏远地方没油了、或者在餐厅忘带钱包。

Una forma ligera de describir estar atrapado en una situación complicada. El problema no suele ser de vida o muerte, pero desde luego es incómodo: como tener dos compromisos a la misma hora, quedarse sin gasolina en un lugar remoto u olvidar la cartera en un restaurante.

厄介な状況にはまり込んだことを軽い調子で表現する言い方。命に関わるほどではないが、確実に居心地の悪い状況——ダブルブッキング、僻地でのガス欠、レストランで財布を忘れたなど。

까다로운 상황에 처해 있는 것을 가볍게 표현하는 방법이다. 문제가 생명에 위협이 되는 것은 아니지만 확실히 불편한 상황—약속이 겹치거나, 외진 곳에서 기름이 떨어지거나, 식당에서 지갑을 잊는 것 같은 경우에 사용한다.

Ejemplos

I'm in a real pickle — I promised both friends I'd go to their parties tonight.
我真的很为难——我答应了两个朋友今晚都去他们的派对。
Estoy en un buen lío: les prometí a los dos amigos que iría a sus fiestas esta noche.
本当に困ったことになった——今夜、二人の友達の両方のパーティーに行くと約束してしまった。
정말 난처하게 됐어—오늘 밤 두 친구의 파티에 다 간다고 약속해버렸어.
We found ourselves in quite a pickle when the car broke down in the middle of nowhere.
车在前不着村后不着店的地方抛锚了，我们陷入了相当尴尬的境地。
Nos vimos en un buen aprieto cuando el coche se averió en medio de la nada.
人里離れた場所で車が故障して、かなり困った状況になった。
허허벌판에서 차가 고장 나서 꽤 곤란한 상황에 처했다.
If you don't save your work, you'll be in a pickle when the power goes out.
如果你不保存工作，停电的时候你就麻烦了。
Si no guardas tu trabajo, te verás en un apuro cuando se vaya la luz.
作業を保存しておかないと、停電した時に困るよ。
작업을 저장하지 않으면 정전 때 곤란해질 거야.

Pronunciación

Guía de uso

Contexto: casual conversation, problems, storytelling

Tono: lighthearted, worried

✓ Correcto

I'm in a pickle.
I'm in a pickle.
Estoy en un aprieto.
困ったことになった。
난처한 상황이야.
That's quite a pickle.
That's quite a pickle.
Vaya lío.
それはかなり厄介だね。
그거 꽤 곤란하네.

✗ Incorrecto

Using it for serious situations understates the gravity — it's better for moderate, manageable problems
用于严重情况会淡化事态的严重性——更适合中等程度的、可以应对的问题
Usarlo para situaciones graves le resta gravedad al asunto: es mejor para problemas moderados y manejables
深刻な状況に使うと事態を軽く見ることになる——中程度の、対処可能な問題に使うのが適切
심각한 상황에 사용하면 사안의 심각성을 과소평가하게 된다—적당히 감당할 수 있는 문제에 쓰는 것이 좋다

Origen e historia

Shakespeare used 'in a pickle' in 'The Tempest' (1611), possibly from the Dutch phrase 'in de pekel zitten' (sitting in brine). The image of being preserved in vinegar — stuck and uncomfortable — makes for a vivid metaphor.

Contexto cultural

Era: 1600s-present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

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