double bind

noun

1. Psychology.,  a situation in which a person is given conflicting cues, especially by a parent, such that to obey one cue is to disobey the other.

2. dilemma.

double bind

noun

1. a situation of conflict from which there is no escape; unresolvable dilemma

Word History and Origins

Origin of double bind¹

An Americanism dating back to 1955–60

Related Words

• difficulty 
• embarrassment 
• impasse 
• mess 
• plight 
• predicament 
• problem 
• puzzle 
• quandary