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catch-22

UK

/ˌkætʃ.twen.tiˈtuː/

US

/ˌkætʃ.twen.tiˈtu/

Translations

catch-22noun

UK

/ˌkætʃ.twen.tiˈtuː/

US

/ˌkætʃ.twen.tiˈtu/

Fixed expression denoting a no-win paradoxical situation.

dilemme insolubleDans le sens d’une situation paradoxale et sans issue.

It was a catch-22: she needed experience to get the job, but she needed the job to get experience.

C'était un dilemme insoluble : elle avait besoin d'expérience pour obtenir le poste, mais elle avait besoin du poste pour acquérir de l'expérience.

Additional translations

impasseEmploi plus général, quand il s’agit d’une situation bloquée.

Synonyms

no-win situation

double bind

vicious circle

impossible situation

Antonyms

way out

win-win situation

catch-22adjective

Used attributively before a noun to describe a paradoxical no-win situation.

sans issueSe dit d’une situation paradoxale et impossible à résoudre.

They were trapped in a catch-22 situation: the bank wanted collateral for the loan, but they needed the loan to get the collateral.

Ils étaient pris dans une situation sans issue : la banque voulait une garantie pour le prêt, mais ils avaient besoin du prêt pour obtenir la garantie.

Synonyms

damned-if-you-do

self-contradictory

Antonyms

straightforward

Definitions

catch-22noun

A paradoxical or self-contradictory situation in which the conditions for solving a problem prevent the problem from being solved.

It was a catch-22: she needed experience to get the job, but she needed the job to get experience.

catch-22adjective

Describing a situation that is paradoxical and impossible to resolve because of conflicting requirements.

They were trapped in a catch-22 situation: the bank wanted collateral for the loan, but they needed the loan to get the collateral.