dilemma
noun [ C ] uk/daɪˈlem.ə/ /dɪˈlem.ə/ us/daɪˈlem.ə/ /dɪˈlem.ə/
B2 左右为难，两难境地
a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two different things you could do
The president is clearly in a dilemma about/over how to tackle the crisis. 对于如何化解危机总统明显处于两难境地。
She faces the dilemma of disobeying her father or losing the man she loves. 她面临着要么违抗父亲要么失去心上人的两难境地。
a moral/ethical dilemma 道德／伦理两难
Synonym: quandary
- More examples
- We are faced with an agonizing dilemma and it seems there is no correct choice.
- Now he has been offered the other job, which puts him in a bit of a dilemma.
- Should he aim for approval from his parliamentary colleagues or follow the wishes of the wider public? It was a dilemma.
- I found myself in a dilemma and really didn't know what to do for the best.
- To my father, the situation was simple and he couldn't understand my dilemma.