in a jam
23
6.7
- idiom
- Informal
- I'm in a jam with these guys.
- get in a jam
- find themselves in a jam
Examples
-
You're in a jam and you know it.
-
We're in a jam and we need your help.
-
Sister, we really are in a jam.
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I'm in a jam, so I'll make this simple.
-
You try to get backup when you're in a jam.
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No, just trying to help somebody who's in a jam, that's all.
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If you find yourself in a jam, I would suggest calling a relative or coworker before depending on one of your CE "comrades."
Blog text (12) -
We're in a jam and we need your help.
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If you're in a jam and need assistance, don't hesitate to ask.
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I'm in a jam because my car broke down and I can't get to work.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A situation that causes difficulty, worry, or inconvenience
∞
2.9
In difficulty and likely to face bad results because of a mistake or bad situation
86
6.1
A difficult situation that is hard to escape or fix
75
5.8
A difficult or embarrassing situation that is hard to escape
41
6.5
A difficult situation that is hard to get out of
28
7.9
A difficult situation that is hard to escape or solve
15
8.3
In trouble and not sure what to do
12
7.4
A very difficult situation that causes serious money problems
9
4.2
In a difficult situation that is hard to get out of
5
3.7
A difficult situation that is hard to deal with
2
7.4
A situation of very great trouble and urgent need with no easy way out
1
8.6
A small problem that causes worry and needs help
1
5.5
A difficult, unpleasant situation that is hard to fix
1
8.9
Not able to move forward because of a messy, difficult situation
1
7.2
In a difficult situation with little time or money
Antonyms
How Difficult
- Informal
41
6.5
- Informal
20
4.1
- Informal
23
6.7
- Informal
9
4.2
∞
2.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'in a difficult situation' depends on an extended, idiomatic sense of 'jam' meaning 'predicament' or being 'stuck' rather than the literal fruit preserve. Learners who recognize related uses (e.g. 'traffic jam') can infer the meaning, but someone who only knows the food sense would not predict this, so the relation is partly transparent but not fully predictable.
Etymology
In a jam may come from the image of something stuck in thick fruit jam, unable to move, so it now means being 'in a difficult situation'.