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 ( def 1 ).

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