Dictionary of English - dilemma

This means a choice, or a situation demanding a choice, between equally undesirable alternatives; a doctor at a difficult birth would be in a dilemma if he could save the mother or the child, but not both. Some people maintain that it should not be used when there are more than two alternatives, and it is best to avoid referring to a complex problem, with many possible courses of action, as a dilemma: the dilemma of economic decline. A dilemma may have more than two choices, but they should be few in number and clearly defined: the dilemma of whether to go on to short-time working, lay off staff, or cut wages. Strictly speaking, dilemma should not be used if the choices are pleasant or unimportant; having to choose between cream and ice cream on your strawberries is hardly a dilemma.

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