Catch-22


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Related to Catch-22: Joseph Heller

Catch-22

also catch-22 (kăch′twĕn-tē-to͞o′, kĕch′-)
n.
1. A situation in which a desired outcome or solution is impossible to attain because of a set of inherently contradictory rules or conditions: "In the Catch-22 of a closed repertoire, only music that is already familiar is thought to deserve familiarity" (Joseph McLennan).
2. A contradictory or self-defeating course of action: "The Catch-22 of his administration was that every grandiose improvement scheme began with community dismemberment" (Village Voice).
3. A tricky or disadvantageous condition; a catch: "Of course, there is a Catch-22 with Form 4868—you are supposed to include a check if you owe any additional tax, otherwise you face some penalties" (New York).
[After Catch-22, a novel by Joseph Heller.]
Catch′-22′ adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

catch-22

n
1. a situation in which a person is frustrated by a paradoxical rule or set of circumstances that preclude any attempt to escape from them
2. a situation in which any move that a person can make will lead to trouble
[C20: from the title of a novel (1961) by the US writer J. Heller (1923–99)]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Catch-22

(ˈkætʃˌtwɛn tiˈtu)

n., pl. Catch-22's, Catch-22s.
1. a frustrating situation in which one is trapped by contradictory regulations or conditions.
2. any illogical or paradoxical problem or situation; dilemma.
3. a condition, regulation, etc., preventing the resolution of a problem or situation; catch.
[from a military regulation in a novel of the same name (1961) by U.S. novelist Joseph Heller]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
Translations

catch-22

[ˌkætʃˌtwentɪˈtuː] N a catch-22 situation → un callejón sin salida, un círculo vicioso
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

catch-22

[ˈkætʃˌtwɛntɪˈtuː] n it's a catch-22 situation → non c'è via d'uscita
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
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References in periodicals archive ?
Editor's pick CATCH-22 (Channel 4, 9pm) Big things were expected when the latest adaptation of Catch-22 was announced.
Enthralling and thought-provoking; PICKS OF THE DAY
Catch-22 Channel 4, Thur, 9pm Second World War bombardier Yossarian has made no bones about the fact that the last place he wants to be is up in the air fighting the enemy.
DRAMA; Beecham House
WITH its wonderful, rapid-fire dialogue and classy, cinematic feel, the latest adaptation of Joseph Heller's novel Catch-22 (Channel 4, Thursday) is a joy to watch.
Major, major triumph
As humourless, parade-obsessed training officer Scheisskopf (google translate that for a snigger) George added pure comedy gold to the much-talked about Catch-22.
Catch Clooney's clowning glory
As humourless, parade-obsessed A-training officer Scheisskopf (google A-translate that for a snigger) George added pure comedy gold to the much-talked about Catch-22.
Sara Wallis: 'George Clooney more comedy gold than dashing hero in Catch 22'; George Clooney brings plenty of fun to the much-anticipated serious US drama
GEORGE CLOONEY'S memory of Catch-22 harks back to his school days.
No catch, I just wanted to do good work; George Clooney tells GEMMA DUNN why he found a winner in anti-war satire Catch-22
However, if he requests to leave, that is evidence that he is no longer insane and therefore he is ineligible - the catch-22.
Catch of the day
The popular classic - from which the now-commonplace catch-22 phrase was derived - was originally seen on the big screen in 1970, with Alan Arkin, Michael Sheen, Jon Voight and Art Garfunkel among its stellar cast.
I have never really cared about what the medium was, I just wanted to do good work; It might be the 'golden age' of television but George Clooney is the first to admit that it takes time to locate the good content. He tells GEMMA DUNN why he found a winner in anti-war satire Catch-22
Clooney and his film-making partner Grant Heslov are executive producers and co-directors of a new six-part adaptation of Joseph Heller's classic satirical novel, Catch-22. It was previously filmed in 1970 with a cast including Alan Arkin, Art Garfunkel, Jon Voight, Orson Welles and George's former father-in-law Martin Balsam (he was married to Balsam's daughter Talia from 1989 to 1993).
Clooney's a real Catch for viewers; Hollywood heart-throb brings classic tale to small screen
Amal and George Clooney at Catch-22 UK premiere in London
I have never really cared about what the medium was, I just wanted to do good work; It might be the 'golden age' of television but George Clooney is the first to admit that it takes time to locate the good content. He tells GEMMA DUNN why he found a winner in anti-war satire Catch-22
"So, the experience I had with (Catch-22), as a young man, is you're supposed to read it," he teases.
I have never really cared about what the medium was, I just wanted to do good work; It might be the 'golden age' of television but George Clooney is the first to admit that it takes time to locate the good content. He tells GEMMA DUNN why he found a winner in Catch-22

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