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in a (tight) spot
01
in a situation that is difficult to deal with
What is the origin of the idiom "in a spot" and when to use it?
The idiom "in a spot" originates from the idea of finding oneself in a difficult, challenging, or precarious situation, as if one is in a certain location or "spot" from which it's not easy to extricate oneself. It is commonly used to describe a situation where someone is facing a problem, often unexpectedly, and is uncertain about how to resolve it.
Example
Running out of cash during the trip, they were in a spot and had to find an ATM quickly.
Trying to park in a tight spot, he had to shoehorn the car into the narrow space.
When her car broke down in a remote area, she was in a spot without cell phone reception or nearby help.
Having lost their passports while traveling, they were in a spot and had to contact their embassy for assistance.
The recent strike has put the airline company in a tight spot.
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