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In a quandary

What's the meaning of the phrase 'In a quandary'?

Faced with a dilemma – perplexed and uncertain what to do.

What's the origin of the phrase 'In a quandary'?

A quandary is simply a dilemma or state of extreme uncertainty. The word is now little used, apart from in the phrase in a quandary. This came in to use in the 16th century; for example, in John Lyly’s Euphues, the Anatomy of Wyt, 1579:

“Euphues … departed, leaving this olde gentleman in a great quandarie.”

The history of “In a quandary” in printed materials

Trend of in a quandary in printed material over time

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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
In a quandary

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