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catch 22

A self-contradictory rule that prevents a desired outcome.

Etymology:

  • From the anti-war novel Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. In the novel a character learns that he can be exempted from flying aircraft bombing missions by reason of insanity. But to request that exemption shows sound reasoning, and therefore disqualifies one from the insanity exemption.
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For example, to qualify for a bank loan a person might be required to show they are financially solvent enough to not actually need one.

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Submitted by shawc1954 on February 05, 2024

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to catch 22

catch of the daycatch a tancatch hellcatch dustcatch itcatch fliescatch nappingcatch a coldcatch big aircatch firecatch as catch cancatch heatcatch a break!catch air

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