pickle
UK: ˈpɪk.l̩ | US: ˈpɪk.l̩
n. a vegetable or fruit preserved in vinegar or brine
n. (informal) a difficult situation
vt. to preserve food in vinegar or brine
The word "pickle" traces back to Middle Dutch pekel or Middle Low German pekel, meaning "brine" or "salt solution." The root pick- likely relates to the sharp, pungent taste of pickled foods, while -le may function as a diminutive or frequentative suffix in English. Over time, the term expanded from the literal preservation process to metaphorically describe a "messy situation" (e.g., "in a pickle").
She added cucumbers to the jar to make homemade pickles.
He found himself in a pickle after forgetting his passport.
The chef pickled the radishes for a tangy side dish.
Grandma’s pickles are the best I’ve ever tasted.
How did you get into such a pickle at work?