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• Catch-22
  Catch-22

  noun

  a frustrating situation in which one is trapped by contradictory regulations or conditions.
• catch-22
  catch-22

  noun

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

Catch-22

American  

[kach-twen-tee-too] / ˈkætʃˌtwɛn tiˈtu /

Or catch-22

noun

Catch-22's, plural Catch-22s plural

1. a frustrating situation in which one is trapped by contradictory regulations or conditions.

2. any illogical or paradoxical problem or situation; dilemma.

3. a condition, regulation, etc., preventing the resolution of a problem or situation; catch.

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catch-22 British  

noun

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

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Catch-22 Cultural  

1. (1961) A war novel by the American author Joseph Heller. “Catch-22” is a provision in army regulations; it stipulates that a soldier's request to be relieved from active duty can be accepted only if he is mentally unfit to fight. Any soldier, however, who has the sense to ask to be spared the horrors of war is obviously mentally sound, and therefore must stay to fight.

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Catch-22 Idioms  

1. A no-win dilemma or paradox, similar to damned if I do, damned if I don't. For example, You can't get a job without experience, but you can't get experience unless you have a job—it's Catch-22. The term gained currency as the title of a 1961 war novel by Joseph Heller, who referred to an Air Force rule whereby a pilot continuing to fly combat missions without asking for relief is regarded as insane, but is considered sane enough to continue flying if he does make such a request.

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Usage

What does Catch-22 mean? Coming from the novel of the same name, a Catch-22 is a situation where one is trapped by two contradictory conditions. It's more generally used to refer to a paradox or dilemma. Example: to get a certain job, you need work experience. But to get that work experience, you need to have had a job. It’s a Catch-22.

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Figuratively, a “catch-22” is any absurd arrangement that puts a person in a double bind: for example, a person can't get a job without experience, but can't get experience without a job.

Etymology

Origin of Catch-22

From a military regulation in a novel of the same name (1961) by U.S. novelist Joseph Heller (1923–99)

Example Sentences

"The longer the local authority leaves them, the worse the condition and cost to get up. It's a catch 22," he added.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2022

The Chiefs’ tandem of Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill combined to catch 22 passes for 339 yards and three TDs against the Chargers.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 25, 2021

I caught the tail end of Yogi’s career, so I only knew him as a part-time outfielder, although I did see him catch 22 innings against the Tigers when he was 37.

From New York Times • Apr. 12, 2020

"It's kinda catch 22 because nearly all good horses are difficult," he says.

From The Guardian • Apr. 3, 2013

To go to sea in a Timma eéchoong oóshoo Boat to go sea fish to       boat to catch fish eéo cheéoong catch 22.

From Account of a Voyage of Discovery to the West Coast of Corea, and the Great Loo-Choo Island by Hall, Basil