Basic Details
Word: Predicament
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A difficult or tricky situation where you may not know what to do.
Synonyms: Dilemma, quandary, difficulty
Antonyms: Solution, benefit, advantage
Idioms and Phrases
- Catch-22: A situation where you're trapped by conflicting rules or circumstances. Example: "I found myself in a Catch-22; I needed experience to get the job, but I needed the job to gain experience."
- Between a rock and a hard place: Being faced with two tough choices. Example: "She was stuck between a rock and a hard place, having to choose between attending her brother's wedding or studying for an important exam."
Usage Examples
Example 1: James found himself in a predicament when he lost his wallet on the way to school.
Example 2: The team's predicament was worsened when their best player got injured just before the final match.
Example 3: Asking for help can be difficult, especially when you're in a predicament and unsure how to explain it.
Fun Fact
The word "predicament" originates from the Latin word "praedicamentum," which means a category or the act of saying something. Over time, it evolved to describe a difficult situation instead of a mere classification.
Famous Quote
"In every dilemma, there is the opportunity for a good solution." Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "predicament" mean?
a) A beautiful garden
b) An easy choice
c) A difficult situation
d) A type of food
Answer: c) A difficult situation
2. Which of these is a synonym of "predicament"?
a) Dilemma
b) Adventure
c) Celebration
d) Journey
Answer: a) Dilemma
3. What is an antonym of "predicament"?
a) Problem
b) Solution
c) Challenge
d) Difficulty
Answer: b) Solution
4. Which sentence uses "predicament" correctly?
a) She was in a predicament after forgetting her lines in the play.
b) The sun was bright in the predicament sky.
c) They bought a new car for their predicament.
d) The dog chased the ball into the predicament.
Answer: a) She was in a predicament after forgetting her lines in the play.
5. Which idiom means the same as being in a predicament?
a) Cold as ice
b) Between a rock and a hard place
c) As happy as a clam
d) Fly by night
Answer: b) Between a rock and a hard place
