between a rock and a hard place

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between a rock and a hard place

Having the choice between two unpleasant or distasteful options; in a predicament or quandary.

Etymology:

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

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Collection Edit

Submitted on September 01, 2009

Additional definitions for 'between a rock and a hard place':

Between a Rock and a Hard Place	To face a difficult situation and remain in a tight spot one after another, Or face some difficulty in making the right decision that would deliver no harm

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

To face a difficult situation and remain in a tight spot one after another, Or face some difficulty in making the right decision that would deliver no harm

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Translation

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zwischen einem Felsen und einer harten Stelle

Entre una roca y un lugar duro

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to between a rock and a hard place

bells and whistles bait and switch Banbury story of a cock and a bull back and forth back and better between scylla and charybdis between you, me, and the bedpost birds and bees bag and baggage black and blue beck and call be at one's beck and call black and white bits and bobs

How to pronounce this phrase?

Alex
US English
David
US English
Mark
US English
Daniel
British
Libby
British
Mia
British
Karen
Australian
Hayley
Australian
Natasha
Australian
Veena
Indian
Priya
Indian
Neerja
Indian
Zira
US English
Oliver
British
Wendy
British
Fred
US English
Tessa
South African

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"between a rock and a hard place." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place_2358>.

between a rock and a hard place

Etymology:

Additional definitions for 'between a rock and a hard place':

Translation

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to between a rock and a hard place

How to pronounce this phrase?

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