Catch-22

or catch-22

[ kach-twen-tee-too ]

noun

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

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.

catch-22

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

Catch-22

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.

Notes

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Catch-22¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Catch-22¹

C20: from the title of a novel (1961) by the US writer J. Heller (1923–99)

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

Yeah, those books: The Things They Carried, The Hunters, Catch-22.

From The Daily Beast

It can result in a Catch-22 for ambitious upstarts: internships offer a foot in the door—but at what economic cost?

From The Daily Beast

This is an earnest book, a rare thing for a post-Catch-22 war novel of the literary ilk.

From The Daily Beast

It is for sure a Catch-22, but who wants to be the person beating their head against the wall?

From The Daily Beast

I have to say, of all possible reactions to Catch-22, this is one that makes least sense to me.

From The Daily Beast