British & Australian, old-fashioned

if someone is in a cleft stick, they have a problem which is very difficult to solve.

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

Because of new employment laws, these companies are caught in a cleft stick.

• put off their stride
• put off the scent
• put on a brave face
• put on a brave front
• put on a collision course
• put on a front
• put on a pedestal
• put on edge
• put on hold
• put on ice
• put on the back burner
• put on the dog
• put on the line
• put on the map
• put on the right track
• put on the shelf
• put on the spot
• put out feelers
• put out of action
• put out of mind
• put out of misery
• put out of their misery
• put out of your mind
• put out to pasture
• put over knee