In a Right Fix

My husband and I watched our youngest dog, Buddy, getting himself into trouble with Charley the cat. She doesn't abide dogs very well, and Buddy is slow to learn that fact.

"He's got himself in a right fix," Larry said.

Which got me thinking about other sayings about getting into a troublesome situation, or dealing with trouble in general.

Like, "I'm in a hum." I think this one must come from being in situations that cause one to go, "Hmmmm..." Seems reasonable, doesn't it? But "He's in a pickle" leaves me scratching my head as to its origin. Being all twisted up is clear enough in its meaning. As is "got your britches in a twist." Very uncomfortable, that!

All bolloxed up is another, which is an Irish saying that has made its way to our West Virginia hills. And being like a cat up a tree, well, you know how hard it is for the cat to get down. Not good.

Having your back to the wall is not a good place to be, for sure, when it's trouble you're facing. Neither is being in a catch 22.

Many people get into a tight spot in the first place by opening a can of worms. Of course, there are times when the fat's in the fire and there's no dodging the bullet. Around here, people say "something brown" hits the fan, a surefire mess if ever anyone had one!

There are times when I feel like I'm juggling frogs, to use an expression of one of my former neighbors.

Then there's the sticky wicket, someone or something throwing a spanner in the works, and stirring up a hornet's nest--all things we'd all rather avoid. It's no good trying to "paper over the cracks," though,  as that only leads to more problems in the end.

Do you have any sayings for bad situations? I'm sure there are plenty that I've missed with this list. And I'm thinking that since I have heard all of these, I have apparently been in a few right fixes myself!





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