BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA
between the devil and the deep blue sea: translation
between a rock and a hard place & between the devil and the deep blue sea
Fig. in a very difficult position; facing a hard decision. •
I couldn't make up my mind. I was caught between a rock and a hard place.
•
He had a dilemma on his hands. He was clearly between the devil and the deep blue sea.
* * *
or {literary}[between two fires] or[between a rock and a hard place] {adv. phr.} Between two dangers or difficulties, not knowing what to do. * /The pirates had to fight and be killed or give up and be hanged; they were between the devil and the deep blue sea./ * /The boy was between a rock and a hard place; he had to go home and be whipped or stay in town all night and be picked up by the police./ * /When the man's wife and her mother got together, he was between two fires./ Compare: COMING AND GOING(2), IN A BIND.