a) in a troublesome situation
Well done ! That’s the right answer.
’to be in a pickle’ means to be in a disagreeable, awkward or difficult situation.
The ’in trouble’ meaning of ’in a pickle’ is an allusion to being as disoriented and mixed up as the stewed vegetables that make up pickles.
French translation
être coincé, être dans une situation délicate, difficile
How NOT to translate : *être dans le vinaigre à cornichons
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Examples in context
‘Permanent secretaries in a pickle over interdepartmental budget battles
Do budget-hungry civil servants seize the spirit of inter-departmentalism or gang up against each other all guns blazing ?
Imagine you are Jon Thompson, permanent secretary at defence, or Martin Donnelly at business. You are in a bit of a pickle (and so, we’ll come on to this, is the formerly ultra-loyalist Pickles, and his officials).’
The Guardian, 2 May 2013
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’65 all out and no Michael Clarke leaves Australians in a pickle
Australia’s problems are mounting ahead of the opening Champions Trophy match against England on Saturday after a 243-run battering off India in their final warm-up game, coupled with the ongoing back problems of captain Michael Clarke.’
The Independent, 13 July 2013
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Everyday usage
Well, this is a bit of a picklewe’ve gotten ourselves into.
Now we are in a pretty pickle. We are out of gas.
b) angry
Sorry, wrong answer. Please try again.
c) in a great mood
Sorry, wrong answer. Please try again.
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