In a Jam

Product Information

Sorry, but I won't be able to make it to the party this evening. My babysitter is in a jam because her mother got in an accident. Where were you yesterday? I was in a jam and needed someone to take my dog out and you didn't answer your phone. I'm in a real jam . I can't find anyone to work for me tomorrow and I need the whole day to finish up a paper for my English literature class. The only thing I can think of is how you have to use the right amount of pectin to make sure your jam gels. If you don't use enough, it will be too runny and not hold together properly. When something is "in a jam," it could be quite literal like a car jam. It could also be emotional or situational. So I guess, "in a jam" has more meanings than "in a bind" and can mean a physical situation too. Whereas "in a bind" is more about a dilemma. For the most part, they can be used interchangeably though.

When you really stop and think about it, this is an interesting expression and I find it interesting to read about all the different explanations. I think that is one reason this doesn't bother her. She is afraid she would be too bored if there wasn't something going on to put her in a tight spot.If I really make my imagination stretch, I can see some similarities there. Everything in the jar needs to be bound together, which would be similar to some definitions of this saying. For my sister, I think she functions better when she finds herself in a jam for some reason. One thing is for sure - her life is never boring. Charred - I don’t really get what jelly jam has to do with this word’s etymology. What does it mean if you say that you’re in a bit of a “fruit jam”? That really doesn’t make sense.

My idea of someone "being in a jam", or in a tight spot has to do with relationships. One of my sisters is very blunt and never stops to think before she says anything.

Get our free idioms in pictures ebook

David09 - I have made jam a few different times, and also have a hard time seeing how this relates to this expression. As far as my husband sees things, this would be a negative situation. I see it as trying to make to most use of a small space!