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Catch-22

What Does "Catch-22" Mean?

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"Catch-22" is an English idiom. It means "a paradoxical situation where an individual cannot avoid a problem due to contradictory constraints."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "catch-22" used in a sentence:
  • You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience. It's a Catch-22.
  • Without a car, I can't get to work, but I need a job to afford a car. It's a Catch-22 situation.
  • She's in a Catch-22 with her debts.
meaning for catch-22

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Catch-22" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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