Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
a chicken-and-egg situation
idiom
/ə ˈtʃɪkɪn ən ɛɡ sɪtʃuˈeɪʃən/
Definition
A situation in which it is unclear which of two events should come first, or what causes what.
Examples
- When trying to decide if the lack of funding is causing poor performance or if poor performance is leading to reduced funding, it’s truly a chicken-and-egg situation.
- The debate over which came first, the technology or the demand for it, is a classic chicken-and-egg situation.
Meaning
This phrase refers to a dilemma or problem that involves a cycle of events, where it is difficult to determine the starting point or causation.
Synonyms
- cyclical problem
- vicious circle
- circular reference
