tricky situation
4
3.7
- noun
- This is likely why Google wants a partnership, both to offset cost and liability, but it's still a tricky situation for a company that's already on the government's radar.
- a very tricky situation
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Watch on YouTubeBut if we apply these sort of rules, I think it's much easier to see our way through those tricky situations.
- But if we apply these sort of rules, I think it's much easier to see our way through those tricky situations.
- So if, if I may have a general duty not to lie, and then I'm encountering one of those tricky situations.
- So I mean, that's, it's, it's a very tricky situation, but I, I think the, the fundamental commitment to free expression is there.
- But if democratization happens in a context where engagement with the global economy is less robust, then you have a much more tricky situation.
- And this is a tricky situation.
- So it's like a tricky situation in what and how it went down.
Examples
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I must say, I really admire how you and Erik are handling this tricky situation.
Blog text (25) -
You know, EPA is in a tricky situation now because it has to reconcile conflicts and tensions between statutes and executive orders.
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You know, you put me in a pretty tricky situation.
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We have a very tricky situation for the police here.
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This is a tricky situation.
Fiction book (1991) -
So it's a really tricky situation, and the only thing we can do is wait and see how the investigation unfolds.
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Actually Geoffrey, just between you and I, this is a bit of a tricky situation.
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What a tricky situation.
Blog text (12) -
The allegations he levied were damning, but also unclear, which makes this a tricky situation.
Blog text (25) -
You've put yourself in a tricky situation here, and you're only making it worse.
Synonyms
∞
1.2
A situation that causes trouble and needs a solution
∞
1.0
A situation that causes difficulty, worry, or inconvenience
197
6.2
A difficult situation with no easy way out
81
5.8
A difficult or embarrassing situation that is hard to escape
68
6.5
A difficult situation that is hard to get out of
48
6.0
A difficult situation that is hard to get out of
25
7.9
A difficult situation that is hard to escape or solve
25
8.2
A situation when you do not know what to do
14
6.7
In trouble and needing help to fix a problem
8
4.2
In a difficult situation that is hard to get out of
7
8.3
In trouble and not sure what to do
5
8.1
A difficult situation that is hard to escape
4
7.6
A person, question, or thing that is very difficult to deal with
4
5.3
A situation or task that is hard to do
3
7.7
A confused, complicated situation that is hard to understand
3
9.8
A very confusing and embarrassing situation involving conflict or misunderstanding
2
8.6
A difficult situation that causes trouble
1
5.5
A difficult, unpleasant situation that is hard to fix
1
8.6
A small problem that causes worry and needs help
A difficult problem with no easy solution
A difficult problem that is hard to solve
A difficult task that needs a lot of effort
A difficult problem that needs careful handling
Antonyms
How Difficult
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase's meaning is transparently composed from 'tricky' (difficult, with hidden complications) modifying 'situation' (circumstance). This adjective+noun combination follows a standard compositional pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the overall sense.
Etymology
Tricky situation comes from the idea of a tricky 'trick' hidden in a situation, like a small clever move or trap that makes the scene hard to read or solve. That's why it means 'difficult or awkward to deal with'.