be in a dilemma; be embarrassed; be in a fix
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to be caught in a dilemma; to be in an embarrassing situation; to be stuck in a difficult position
dialectOriginally from Beijing dialect. Used when someone is forced into an awkward or difficult situation where they cannot easily extricate themselves. Often implies being put on the spot by others.
Wǒ我
bú不
huì会
de的
shì事
yìng硬
ràng让
wǒ我
gàn干
，
zhè这
bú不
shì是
ràng让
rén人
zuò坐
là蜡
ma吗
？
Forcing me to do something I don't know how to do—aren't you putting me in an awkward position?
Nǐ你
zhè这
yàng样
dāng当
zhòng众
wèn问
tā他
，
bú不
shì是
ràng让
tā他
zuò坐
là蜡
ma吗
？
Asking him like this in public—isn't that putting him on the spot?
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Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
zhēn真
ràng让
rén人
zuò坐
là蜡
，
dā答
ying应
yě也
bú不
shì是
，
bù不
dā答
ying应
yě也
bú不
shì是
。
This matter really puts one in a dilemma—it's wrong to agree, and wrong not to agree.