A pretty pickle Meaning in English
expression
ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈpɹɪti/ /ˈpɪkəɫ
uh PRIT-ee PIH-kuhl
æɪ/ /pɹˈɪti/ /pˈɪkəl
uh PRIT-ee PIH-kuhl
Definition
A humorous or old-fashioned way to describe a difficult or awkward situation that is hard to escape from.
Usage & Nuances
This expression is somewhat old-fashioned or playful; it's rarely used in very formal contexts. It means being in a troublesome or difficult situation, not an actual food pickle. You might hear it jokingly in stories or light conversations.
Spanish: un buen lío - un buen aprietoPortuguese (BR): uma bela enrascada - uma boa confusãoPortuguese (PT): uma grande encrenca - uma situação complicadaChinese (Simplified): 进退两难的困境 - 棘手的麻烦Chinese (Traditional): 進退兩難的困境 - 棘手的麻煩Hindi: मुश्किल स्थिति - बुरी फँसावटArabic: مأزق صعب - ورطة حقيقيةBengali: বড় বিপদ - অস্বস্তিকর অবস্থাRussian: затруднительное положение - неприятная ситуацияJapanese: 困った状況 - ピンチVietnamese: tình huống khó xử - rắc rối lớnKorean: 곤란한 상황 - 난처한 일Turkish: zor durum - baş belası durumUrdu: بری مصیبت - مشکل صورتحالIndonesian: situasi sulit - masalah besar
Example Sentences
We're in a pretty pickle after forgetting our tickets.
basic
If it rains during the picnic, we'll be in a pretty pickle.
basic
He's found himself in a pretty pickle at work.
basic
Well, this is a pretty pickle—I locked the keys in the car!
natural
We're in a pretty pickle now that both phones are dead and we can't call for help.
natural
You forgot the cake for the party? That's a pretty pickle!
natural