sticky wicket
idiomatic phrase

- the area of ground around a wicket when it is tacky because of recent rain and therefore does not allow a consistent bounce of the ball

- a situation requiring delicate treatment; an awkward situation

Collins Dictionary

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ORIGIN

This phrase is a direct allusion to the difficulty of playing on a wet and sticky pitch. The earliest citations of the expression refer specifically to cricket; for example, Bell’s Life in London, July 1882:

“The ground… was suffering from the effects of recent rain, and once more the Australians found themselves on a sticky wicket.”

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MORE CRICKET IDIOMS

- to have a good innings = to have enjoyed a positive period of time. It’s often used to describe someone who has lived a long and productive life. (“I heard that Jim passed away last week at the age of 97. He had a good innings.”)

- to be cricket = to play fair, to use gentlemanly conduct, usually used in the negative. (“The way the Chairman treated the CEO at the last board meeting was just not cricket.”)

- to hit someone for a six = to surprise or shock someone. (“When Sally told Charles she was leaving the company, it hit him for a six.“)

- to be stumped = to have no idea, to not know how to solve a problem. (“I really don’t know how to fix this problem. I am completely stumped.“)

- to be bowled over = to be astonished by something, to be highly impressed. (“A few years ago I saw Hamlet performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company, I was bowled over by their performance.”)

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SYNONYMS

can of worms, fine kettle of fish, pickle, predicament, quandary, snake pit, spot of bother, STICKY WICKET, tight spot, touchy situation, tricky situation

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PRACTICE OWAD in an English conversation, say something like:

“If I don’t deliver this report on time, I’ll be on a A REALLY STICKY WICKET.”

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Paul Smith