briar patch
noun
plural briar patches
1
: an area in which briars (see briar entry 1 sense 1) are growing
… the cottontail was sitting comfortably on a stump right in the middle of a briar patch …—
Cook's Illustrated
Cook's Illustrated2
: a troublesome or difficult situation or experience
The culling of bison at Yellowstone, while legal, has been a briar patch of controversy for more than two decades.—Jim Robbins
Jim Robbins… he shows how Elvis made his way through this cultural briar patch …—Margo Jefferson
Margo JeffersonExamples of briar patch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead of a briar patch, guests are now taken through the Louisiana bayou, to help Louis the alligator find a band to play during a big Mardi Gras celebration thrown by Tiana — which is shown in all its glory at the very end of the attraction.
—Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 15 June 2024
The previously orange, rocky mountain covered in briar patches has been transformed into a lush interpretation of the Louisiana bayou, complete with colorful flowers and fireflies.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2024
Doing so also raises a briar patch of thorny ethical concerns.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 31 May 2024
Their adventures in my backyard included picking raspberries from the overgrown briar patch to make coulis for their cheesecake and gossiping about Barbie’s poor taste in satin jumpsuits.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 13 July 2023
Splash Mountain has taken its last trip into the briar patch at Disneyland.
—Mackenzie Schmidt, Peoplemag, 31 May 2023
Guests will have their final chance to plunge a five-story drop through a briar patch on May 30, giving Disneyland attendees one last busy Memorial Day weekend to experience the attraction in its current form.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2023
The Chinese got themselves in this briar patch and in many ways are planning on staying there.
—WSJ, 1 Mar. 2023
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illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
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Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 15 June 2024
The previously orange, rocky mountain covered in briar patches has been transformed into a lush interpretation of the Louisiana bayou, complete with colorful flowers and fireflies.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2024
Doing so also raises a briar patch of thorny ethical concerns.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 31 May 2024
Their adventures in my backyard included picking raspberries from the overgrown briar patch to make coulis for their cheesecake and gossiping about Barbie’s poor taste in satin jumpsuits.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 13 July 2023
Splash Mountain has taken its last trip into the briar patch at Disneyland.
—Mackenzie Schmidt, Peoplemag, 31 May 2023
Guests will have their final chance to plunge a five-story drop through a briar patch on May 30, giving Disneyland attendees one last busy Memorial Day weekend to experience the attraction in its current form.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2023
The Chinese got themselves in this briar patch and in many ways are planning on staying there.
—WSJ, 1 Mar. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near briar patch
Cite this Entry
“Briar patch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/briar%20patch. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
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