quandary


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Related to quandary: encroach

be in a quandary

To be in a situation in which one is unsure what to do or confused or perplexed about the best course of action. I was in a quandary about whether I should stay at home with the kids or spend a lot of money to put them in daycare. It's a difficult situation, to be sure. We're just in a quandary as to what would make the most sense for the company. I'm kind of in a quandary here—they're offering me that car at a great price, but it's just not quite the model I was looking for.
See also: quandary

be thrown into a quandary

To be put into a state of uncertainty or confusion as to the best course of action. I was thrown into a quandary about whether I should stay at home with the kids or spend a lot of money to put them in daycare. It's a difficult situation, to be sure. We've just been thrown into a quandary as to what would make the most sense for the company. I've been thrown into a quandary here—they're offering me that car at a great price, but it's just not quite the model I was looking for.
See also: quandary, thrown

in a quandary

In a situation in which one is unsure what to do or confused or perplexed about the best course of action; in a predicament. I was in a quandary about whether I should stay at home with the kids or spend a lot of money to put them in daycare. It's a difficult situation, to be sure, and we've found ourselves in a quandary as to what would make the most sense for the company. I'm kind of in a quandary here—they're offering me that car at a great price, but it's just not quite the model I was looking for.
See also: quandary

put (one) in a quandary

To cause one to become unsure, confused, or perplexed about the best course of action. I was glad to be offered the job, but it put me in a quandary as to who would look after the children during the day. The situation puts the company into a quandary, to be sure. We've just got to try to adapt to the circumstances as best we can.
See also: put, quandary

throw (one) into a quandary

To cause one to become unsure, confused, or perplexed about the best course of action. I was glad to be offered the job, but it threw me into a quandary as to who would look after the children during the day. The situation throws the company into a quandary, to be sure. We've just got to try to adapt to the circumstances as best we can.
See also: quandary, throw
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*in a quandary

uncertain about what to do; perplexed. (*Typically: be ~; get [into] ~.) Mary was in a quandary about what college to go to. I couldn't decide what to do. I was in such a quandary.
See also: quandary
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

in a ˈquandary

uncertain about what to do in a particular situation: She’s in a bit of a quandary about which of the jobs to accept.
See also: quandary
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive ?
Even if ranked-choice voting eliminates spoilers and resolves the lesser-of-evils quandary, the system may have other problems that the existing one does not.
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A quandary result, but perhaps one that might help us articulate some of the aspirations the people who have a gut feeling that decades of negativity, false information and peacock policies have got us in a worse jam than before.
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The official also said that the team, which consists of several young players, would also miss a chance of gaining exposure in major tournaments, adding that all these issues have put the board in a quandary.
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In the most earnest attempt to date to try to settle the diabetes screening quandary, the ADDITION investigators have provided evidence that has been lacking regarding the potential for easing the worldwide epidemic of diabetes, now some 350 million cases strong.
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It's put us in a complete quandary, because we always did things as a foursome.
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The old coaxial conducting lines found inside cable TV wires--or at least their design structure--may have relevance for lithium ion batteries and the nagging battery quandary of limited recharging cycles.
Coaxial li-on nanotubes
I am in a quandary as to how a school that has basically let children down with their education over some years can, with Stockton Council's backing, retain its head mistress who has soul responsibility for these results.
Letter: Your Say - Our harsh lesson
Faced with such a quandary many politicians would have cancelled the fundraiser - but not our Bertie.
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I gave him a sympathetic hug before leaving him to mull over his quandary.
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The middle school students are in a quandary over who is taking food.
Bossley, Michele Martin. Swiped
A thoughtful, serious-minded and deep philosophical on an ancient and perplexing moral quandary.
Evil and the Justice of God
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