A sticky wicket

noun

A difficult situation or problem.

Being new in the company and asked to lead a project is a sticky wicket for him.
Visual representation of "a sticky wicket" - A difficult situation or problem.

Often appears as...

  • in a sticky wicket
  • on a sticky wicket

Usage tips

Idiomatic

noun

In the sport of cricket, a pitch that has become difficult to bat on.

After the rain, the field turned into a sticky wicket, making it difficult for the players to bat.
Visual representation of "a sticky wicket" - In the sport of cricket, a pitch that has become difficult to bat on.

Often appears as...

  • play on a sticky wicket
  • bat on a sticky wicket

Usage tips

Technical

noun

A difficult situation or problem.

Being new in the company and asked to lead a project is a sticky wicket for him.
Visual representation of "a sticky wicket" - A difficult situation or problem.

Often appears as...

  • in a sticky wicket
  • on a sticky wicket

Usage tips

Idiomatic

noun

In the sport of cricket, a pitch that has become difficult to bat on.

After the rain, the field turned into a sticky wicket, making it difficult for the players to bat.
Visual representation of "a sticky wicket" - In the sport of cricket, a pitch that has become difficult to bat on.

Often appears as...

  • play on a sticky wicket
  • bat on a sticky wicket

Usage tips

Technical

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "a sticky wicket"
LampPro Tip 1/3

British Origin

The phrase is quintessentially British and more common in British English than American English.

Illustration for British Origin
She found herself on a sticky wicket when dealing with British clients.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Colloquial Use

It's informal and typically used in casual conversation, not in formal writing.

Illustration for Colloquial Use
He's been on a sticky wicket since he lost his job.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Metaphoric Sense

Used metaphorically to indicate any kind of challenging situation, not just in cricket.

Illustration for Metaphoric Sense
Negotiating this contract is a sticky wicket.
LampPro Tip 1/3

British Origin

The phrase is quintessentially British and more common in British English than American English.

Illustration for British Origin
She found herself on a sticky wicket when dealing with British clients.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Colloquial Use

It's informal and typically used in casual conversation, not in formal writing.

Illustration for Colloquial Use
He's been on a sticky wicket since he lost his job.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Metaphoric Sense

Used metaphorically to indicate any kind of challenging situation, not just in cricket.

Illustration for Metaphoric Sense
Negotiating this contract is a sticky wicket.
LampPro Tip 1/3

British Origin

The phrase is quintessentially British and more common in British English than American English.

Illustration for British Origin
She found herself on a sticky wicket when dealing with British clients.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Colloquial Use

It's informal and typically used in casual conversation, not in formal writing.

Illustration for Colloquial Use
He's been on a sticky wicket since he lost his job.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Metaphoric Sense

Used metaphorically to indicate any kind of challenging situation, not just in cricket.

Illustration for Metaphoric Sense
Negotiating this contract is a sticky wicket.
Visual representation of the word "A sticky wicket"

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