Someone in a difficult position could describe themselves as being in a pickle.
One theory is that the phrase originated in William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest in 1611. In the play, however, being in a pickle refers to being in a drunken state.
The character Alonso, the King of Naples, says to Trinculo, a jester, “And Trinculo is feeling ripe. Where should they find this grand liquor that hath gilded ‘em? How camest thou in this pickle?”
Trinculo responds by saying, “I have been in such a pickle since I saw you last that, I fear me, will never out of my bones. I shall not fear flybowing.”