Catch-22

Catch-22 also catch-22 (kchtwn-t-t, kch-)

n.

1.

a. A situation in which a desired outcome or solution is impossible to attain because of a set of inherently illogical rules or conditions: "In the Catch-22 of a closed repertoire, only music that is already familiar is thought to deserve familiarity" (Joseph McLennan).

b. The rules or conditions that create such a situation.

2. A situation or predicament characterized by absurdity or senselessness.

3. A contradictory or self-defeating course of action: "The Catch-22 of his administration was that every grandiose improvement scheme began with community dismemberment" (Village Voice).

4. A tricky or disadvantageous condition; a catch: "Of course, there is a Catch-22 with Form 4868you are supposed to include a check if you owe any additional tax, otherwise you face some penalties" (New York).

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[After Catch-22, a novel by Joseph Heller (1923-1999), American writer.]

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Catch-22 adj.

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catch-22

n

1. a situation in which a person is frustrated by a paradoxical rule or set of circumstances that preclude any attempt to escape from them

2. a situation in which any move that a person can make will lead to trouble

[from the title of a novel (1961) by J. Heller]

Translations

catch-22 [ˌkætʃˌtwentɪˈtuː] N a catch-22 situation → un callejón sin salida, un círculo vicioso

catch-22 [ˈkætʃˌtwɛntɪˈtuː] n it's a catch-22 situation → non c'è via d'uscita