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Catch 22

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Catch 22

  also a Catch 22 situation

a situation where one thing must happen in order to cause another thing to happen, but because the first thing does not happen the second thing cannot happen

Usage notes: Catch 22 is the title of a book by Joseph Heller about the experiences of an American pilot.

If you don't have a place to stay, you can't get a job and with no job, you can't get an apartment. It's a Catch 22 situation.

See also: 22, catch