sticky wicket

American  

noun

1. Cricket. the area of ground around a wicket when it is tacky because of recent rain and therefore does not allow the ball to bounce well.

2. Chiefly British. a situation requiring delicate treatment; an awkward situation.

   In telling his wife that he has to be away for a month in Cannes, he'll be batting on a sticky wicket.

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sticky wicket British  

noun

1. a cricket pitch that is rapidly being dried by the sun after rain and is particularly conducive to spin

2. informal a difficult or awkward situation (esp in the phrase on a sticky wicket )

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Etymology

Origin of sticky wicket

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Sticky wicket - A cricket term used to describe when one is between a rock and a hard place.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 25, 2012