English Explanatory Dictionary

between a rock and a hard place

English dictionary entry

Meanings

prep_phrase
  1. In a difficult and inescapable position.
  2. Having the choice between two unpleasant or distasteful options; in a predicament or quandary.

Pronunciation

en-us-between a rock and a hard place.ogg en-au-between a rock and a hard place.ogg

Word forms

between a rock and a hard place

Etymology

Originated in the United States before 1918 in southwest, possibly in connection with mining. Related to the concept of the Ancient Greeks: between Scylla and Charybdis.

Synonyms

between Scylla and Charybdis between the devil and the deep blue sea between a rock and a hard place between the hammer and the anvil between two fires damned if one does and damned if one doesn't doomed if you do doomed if you don't in a cleft stick in bad bread on the horns of a dilemma
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