1) I was in a cleft stick—my job was boring but I couldn't move to another firm without losing my company pension.

2) UN troops are in a cleft stick: something has to be done for the civilian population, yet to retaliate would surely be the spark to ignite all-out war.

3) So the developing countries are caught in a cleft stick.

4) Now the local authorities are caught in a cleft stick, hostages to their own political process.

5) He found himself in a cleft stick.

6) I'm in a cleft stick because I can't sell my house.

7) I fell in love with you because of your personality, but your behaviour made me sick. Now I'm in a cleft stick .