state of affairs

plural states of affairs

1. idiomaticA specific situation; a set of circumstances.

   His uncooperative attitude creates a difficult state of affairs for all of us.

   2 more examples

   Now this doubtness is an unhappy state of affairs to the lover of the steam locomotive, but we cannot, like the proverbial ostrich, bury our heads in the sand and refuse to face facts.

   1950 January, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 13

   An independent oversight body is just setting up, but at full strength it will have a core team of just five. This is a state of affairs that cossets and enriches bailiffs at the expense of families who’ve fallen into debt.

   2023 August 17, Aditya Chakrabortty, “Can’t pay and they really do take it away: what happens when the bailiffs come knocking”, in The Guardian