A catch-22 is a frustrating situation where you're trapped by contradictory rules or requirements. You can't solve your problem because the solution itself requires you to have already solved the problem.

The classic example: you need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience. Or imagine your teacher says you can leave class early only if you finish your work, but you need class time to finish your work. You're stuck either way.

The term comes from a 1961 novel called Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, about a World War II pilot who wants to stop flying dangerous missions. The military rule says pilots can be excused from flying if they're insane. But here's the catch: if you're smart enough to recognize that flying is dangerous and ask to stop, you're clearly thinking rationally, which proves you're sane, so you have to keep flying. It's a trap with no escape.

People use catch-22 when rules or requirements create a circular impossibility, making it impossible to move forward. The frustrating part is that the very thing meant to help you actually prevents you from getting help.