IdiomFood & Drink
French
FrenchDans le pétrin
Meaning: In serious trouble.
Literally: In the kneading trough
Example: “Il a perdu son passeport la veille du départ ; le voilà dans le pétrin.” — He lost his passport the day before leaving; now he's in a pickle.
English equivalent: In a pickle
Equivalents in other languages
English: in a pickle
Origin: The pétrin is the baker's trough where dough is worked, and being in it is being handled rather than doing the handling. Stuck in the dough is the sense, not merely near it.
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