put in an awkward position

put (one) in an awkward position

To cause one to be in a situation or scenario that could prove to be embarrassing or damaging to one's reputation, career, relationship with someone else, etc. Because I'm such good friends with both Jack and Jenny, their breakup puts me in a really awkward position. I hope you realize that it will put us in an awkward position if you decide to leave the company right now.
See also: awkward, position, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put someone in an awkward position

to make a situation difficult for someone; to make it difficult for someone to evade or avoid acting. Your demands have put me in an awkward position. I don't know what to do. I'm afraid I've put myself in sort of an awkward position.
See also: awkward, position, put
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • place (one) in an awkward position
  • place in an awkward position
  • put (one) in an awkward position
  • sweep (something) under the carpet
  • sweep (something) under the mat
  • sweep (something) under the rug
  • brush (something) under the carpet
  • brush (something) under the mat
  • brush (something) under the rug
  • brushed
References in periodicals archive
Faced with all this architecture that isn't quite architecture, 'real' architects are put in an awkward position. How can they give lasting form to social realities when daily life is dominated by the fleeting fantasies of film, television and advertising?
Vertigo: The Strange New World of the Contemporary City