处于困境处于一种困难或尴尬的境地
In a difficult or embarrassing position.
在令人尴尬的条件下
In an embarrassing position.
这是一个尴尬的处境，但是史密斯先生成功地应付过去了。
It was an embarrassing situation, but Mr Smith carried it off well.
使用象我们的前任会计这样的词组来指仍然健在不过不掌管相关的职位的人，在字义上是正确的，但是在这样的情况下，former一词能够避免尴尬的误解发生
It is technically correct to use a phrase such as our late treasurer to refer to a person who is still alive but who no longer holds the relevant post, but the use of former in this context will ensure that no embarrassing misunderstanding is created.
