dilemma at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

"dilemma at hand" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a difficult or challenging situation or problem that a person is currently facing. Example: With the company's financial troubles worsening, the CEO was forced to confront the dilemma at hand: lay off employees or risk going bankrupt.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Allgame felt the game to be worth playing for the FMV alone, calling it the "best aspect of the game" and "an awesome video presentation that, combined with a number of high quality voice-acting jobs, does a great job of conferring the intensity and danger of the nuclear dilemma at hand".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nevertheless, for other reasons, a great number of those same teachers perceive that a huge moral dilemma is at hand: whether to teach evolution competently because that is the duty of a good science teacher or to teach it ineffectively – or not at all – because the teaching of evolution may detrimentally affect students' religious beliefs.1.1

Evolution: Education and Outreach

At the same time, no valid European response is at hand for the dilemma of how Europe manages to cope with millions of Muslim migrants and with it a two-sided subtext of terrorism, political killings, bigotry and fear.

The New York Times

Faced with these severe dilemmas, Harvey had begun reasoning that the end of civilization was at hand.

Wikipedia

The incipient dilemma of decision making is that, in early management stages, often a confusing number of theoretically available options are at hand, while only incomplete information is available.

Environmental Sciences Europe

In an ethical dilemma one could classify one's previous experiences as potentially distorted (quality assessment) or as not relevant for the case at hand (relevance assessment).

BMC Medical Ethics

Help is at hand.

The New York Times - Tech

Solutions are at hand.

The New York Times - Arts

Armageddon was at hand.

The New Yorker

Then help is at hand.

Independent

There are weapons at hand.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dilemma at hand" when you want to emphasize the immediacy and relevance of a difficult situation or choice that needs to be addressed promptly. For instance, "With the deadline looming, the team faced the dilemma at hand: either cut features or risk delaying the project."

Common error

While grammatically sound, "dilemma at hand" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In such settings, simpler alternatives like "current problem" or "issue we're facing" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dilemma at hand" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific problem or difficult situation requiring immediate attention. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples where it effectively conveys a sense of urgency.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dilemma at hand" is a grammatically correct way to refer to a specific, pressing problem, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While its usage is relatively rare, it finds relevance in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to science and wikis. When aiming for clarity and impact, remember to consider the context and adjust the formality level accordingly. While "dilemma at hand" conveys a pressing matter, simpler alternatives might be a better fit in informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

present quandary

Replaces "dilemma" with a synonym and "at hand" with a word describing its presence.

immediate predicament

Substitutes "dilemma" and uses "immediate" to emphasize the urgency conveyed by "at hand".

pressing challenge

Offers a less formal alternative using "challenge" instead of "dilemma" while maintaining the sense of immediacy.

current crisis

Emphasizes the severity of the "dilemma" framing it as a "crisis" that needs addressing now.

urgent issue

Simplifies the phrasing to highlight the time-sensitive nature of the problem.

existing problem

Focuses on the presence of a difficulty without necessarily emphasizing its severity.

matter in question

Shifts the focus to the specific subject being considered, especially when navigating a difficult choice.

oncoming difficulty

Emphasizes a sense of inevitability or anticipation about the dilemma

impending problem

Similar to "oncoming difficulty", but suggests a future issue that is close to surfacing.

approaching crisis

Suggests the issue is getting worse and close to becoming a crisis.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "dilemma at hand" to sound less formal?

Consider using alternatives like "current problem", "issue we're facing", or "challenge before us". The best choice depends on the specific context and your desired tone.

Is there a difference between a "dilemma at hand" and a "general dilemma"?

Yes, "dilemma at hand" implies a specific, immediate problem needing attention. A "general dilemma" refers to a broader, less time-sensitive issue.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "dilemma at hand"?

The phrase works well in formal writing, presentations, or discussions when you want to highlight the pressing nature of a challenging situation. For example, in a business meeting or academic paper.

What are some common synonyms for "dilemma" that I could use in place of "dilemma at hand"?

Synonyms include "predicament", "quandary", "challenge", or "issue". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.