apuros

n. need, hardship; predicament, difficult situation; jam, awkward situation; hurry

n. trouble, tough situation, tight corner

n. elegance, refinement; difficulty; style

= predicament, embarrassment, quandary.
Ex: Any attempt to coerce a response without good reason based on that child's present predicament is to place in jeopardy the child's willing engagement now and in the future.
Ex: Patrons who are reluctant to seek assistance in using reference books or the card catalog, feel no embarrassment about seeking help in the 'automated' setting.
Ex: The increasing use and popularity of the Internet and phytomedicinals (medicinal herbs and medical botanics) have created a quandary for researchers, consumers and information professionals.
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* en apuros = hard-pressed, beleaguered, in deep trouble, in difficulties, if it comes to the crunch, when push comes to shove, when it comes to the crunch, when the worst comes to the worst, if the worst comes to the worst, in deep water.
* en un apuro = in a bind.
* en un momento de apuro = if it comes to the crunch.
* en un momento de apuros = when push comes to shove, when it comes to the crunch, when the worst comes to the worst, if the worst comes to the worst.
* estar en apuros = be in trouble, be in a fix.
* pasar apuros = struggle, pass through + adversity, have + a thin time, be under strain, bear + hardship, be hard pressed, feel + the pinch, have + a hard time, the wolves + be + at the door, have + a tough time.
* pasar apuros económicos = lead + a precarious existence.
* poner a Alguien en un apuro = put + Alguien + on the spot, put + Nombre + on the spot.
* poner en apuros = cast + a shadow over, put + Nombre + in difficulties.
* sacar de apuros = bail out.