PhrasesHub

Sticky wicket

    Definitions

      • a difficult or tricky situation
        to describe a challenging or problematic circumstance or predicament

      • uncertain or ambiguous
        to convey a sense of uncertainty or ambiguity in a situation or decision

    Examples of Sticky wicket

    • The negotiations between the two companies seemed like a sticky wicket as both parties were inflexible and unwilling to compromise.

      In the sport of cricket, a sticky wicket refers to a pitch that is damp, making it difficult for the batsmen to score runs. In this idiomatic usage, 'sticky wicket' is a metaphor for a difficult or complex situation that requires careful handling. Here, the negotiations between the two companies are a sticky wicket as both parties are finding it challenging to come to an agreement due to their rigid positions.

    • The recent turn of events in the political scenario has left the people reeling, making it a sticky wicket for politicians to make any significant moves without facing backlash.

      In this example, the political scenario has become a sticky wicket for politicians as it is uncertain, complex, and fraught with risks. Any wrong move by a politician can have unintended consequences, and hence, there is a reluctance to act decisively.

    • The data breach that the company faced a few weeks back has left its image tarnished, leaving it with a sticky wicket to rebuild its reputation in the market.

      Here, the company has been left with a sticky wicket following the data breach as it now has a tarnished image in the market. Rebuilding its reputation will be a challenging task as it will need to regain the trust of its customers, investors, and stakeholders.

    • The launch of the new product line by the company has been a sticky wicket due to the stiff competition it is facing from its rivals.

      In this example, the company has been left with a sticky wicket due to the tough competition it is facing from its rivals. Launching a new product line in these circumstances will require the company to put in a lot of effort and resources to differentiate itself from its competitors.

    • The merger negotiations between the two companies have become a real sticky wicket.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a decision or negotiation is becoming increasingly complicated and difficult to resolve. In cricket, a sticky wicket refers to a cricket pitch with uneven bounce, making it challenging for the batsmen to play. By comparing a tricky negotiation to a sticky wicket, it conveys the idea that the negotiation is similarly fraught with obstacles and uncertainty.

    • The recent political crisis in the country has left us with a sticky wicket to navigate.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where the prevailing circumstances or conditions are creating difficulties for decision-making or negotiation. In cricket, a sticky wicket refers to a cricket pitch with uneven bounce, making it challenging for the batsmen to play. By comparing a complex political situation to a sticky wicket, it conveys the idea that the situation is similarly unpredictable and challenging to overcome.

    • The team's form has hit a real sticky wicket, with three consecutive losses.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a team or individual's performance has taken a sharp downturn. In cricket, a sticky wicket refers to a cricket pitch with uneven bounce, making it challenging for the batsmen to play. By comparing a team's poor run of form to a sticky wicket, it conveys the idea that the team is struggling in much the same way as a cricket team would on an uneven pitch.

    • The company's expansion plans have run into a real sticky wicket with the new CEO's sudden departure.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a development or plan has hit a major setback or obstacle. In cricket, a sticky wicket refers to a cricket pitch with uneven bounce, making it challenging for the batsmen to play. By comparing a company's expansion plans to a sticky wicket, it conveys the idea that the company is now facing similarly insurmountable obstacles to overcome.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "sticky wicket" is commonly used to describe a difficult or tricky situation, often with a sense of uncertainty or ambiguity. It can be employed in various contexts to convey the challenges or complexities of a particular circumstance.

    In the first meaning, "sticky wicket" is used to highlight the challenging nature of a situation, while the second meaning emphasizes the unclear or ambiguous aspects of a predicament. Both meanings serve to illustrate the complexity and difficulty of the situation at hand.

    Origin of "Sticky wicket"

    The origin of the idiom "sticky wicket" can be traced back to the sport of cricket. In cricket, the term "wicket" refers to the rectangular area on the pitch where the batsman stands, and the bowler aims to hit the stumps. A "sticky wicket" in cricket is a pitch that is damp and soft, making it difficult for the batsman to play shots and for the bowler to deliver the ball accurately. This results in a challenging and uncertain playing condition.

    Over time, the term "sticky wicket" has been adopted into everyday language to describe challenging or uncertain situations that require careful navigation. The idiom has become a metaphor for any difficult or tricky circumstance, reflecting its origins in the world of cricket.

    Examples of usage:

    • "Dealing with this client's demands is a real sticky wicket."
    • "We're on a bit of a sticky wicket with this project deadline."