In a pickle 从字面上翻译为在泡菜里，其实这

个词最早来自荷兰。荷兰语 pickle 指的是腌制

醋，是一种防腐剂。泡菜一般放在罐子里的，

各种蔬菜混在一起很难区分，而且盐卤本身很

咸，并不很好受，所以词义延伸为乱七八糟，

处境困难。

He’s in a pickle because he only has ten minutes

to clean the store before customers start arriving.

在客人到来之前，他只有十分钟打扫卫生，这让他陷入困境。

To be in a pickle means to be in a difficult

position. The word “pickle” comes from

the Dutch word “pekel” which referred to

spiced vinegar, a preservative. It was later used to

refer to preserved cucumbers. This idiom likens

being caught in a dilemma with vegetables that are

mixed up in a jar.

Teacher

Josh

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4

In a pickle

陷入困境