in a dilemma
in a dilemma — idiom
1. facing a situation where you must choose between two options, and both seem bad
facing a situation where you must choose between two options, and both seem bad or undesirable
Tamás is in a dilemma about whether to move to Taipei or stay in Kaohsiung.
be in a dilemma about whether to [choice A] or [choice B]
Heloísa faced a dilemma at work: she could report her colleague's mistake or stay silent and protect her friend.
face a dilemma: [choice A] or [choice B]
Anjali found herself in a dilemma when both of her closest friends planned parties on the same evening.
It was a real dilemma for Jin: study abroad right away or start working to support his family.
- in a quandary
more formal and less common; suggests puzzled uncertainty rather than a forced choice
- between a rock and a hard place
informal and emphatic; both options are clearly bad
- in a bind
informal; can refer to any difficult situation, not just a two-option choice
文法句型
be in a dilemma about [something]
face a dilemma: [choice A] or [choice B]
find oneself in a dilemma when [situation]
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'about' to introduce the topic of the choice, or with a colon to list the two competing options directly.