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The phrase 'Between a rock and a hard place' means faced with a choice between two unsatisfactory options. It originated in the USA in the early part of the 20th century, from a situation of mineworkers faced with a choice between harsh and underpaid work at the rock-face or unemployment and poverty. The phrase is also known as 'on the horns of a dilemma' or 'the lesser of two evils'.
A phrase that means facing two equally unpleasant, dangerous, or risky alternatives, where the avoidance of one ensures encountering the harm of the other. See also synonyms, origin, and usage examples from various sources.
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Definition:To be stuck between two equally bad decisions or situations. This expression is often used when a person feels as if there are no good options available to him or her.
The idea behind this idiom is that if a person were stuck between a rock and a hard place, there would be no easy way to get out. This idea exists in other cultures, and many sources point to Greek mythology and the story of Odysseus having to pass in his ship between Scylla (large rocks) and Charybdis (a whirlpool), both of which were very dangero...
This idiom is always used in negative situations, as it is in this dialogue between two friends, Kira: I’m not sure what I should do about this problem I’m having. Dan: Tell me about it. Kira: My sister is on the run from the police, and she asked to hide at my house. Dan: You can’t let her do that! It’s illegal! Kira: I know. But if I don’t let he...
This news excerpt uses the idiom to describe that retailers can’t ban returns because they will lose customers, but they also can’t allow too many returns because then they will lose money. 1. With all of this going on, retailers find themselves between a rock and a hard place because one way to a loyal customer’s heart and to incentivize people to...
The English idiom between a rock and a hard place is used to describe an impossible to solve situation with no good options.
The idiom means to be stuck between two equally bad decisions or situations. It is often used when a person feels as if there are no good options available to him or her. It comes from Greek mythology and the story of Odysseus. See examples, origin, and more idioms.
Learn the origin, meaning, and usage of the idiom between a rock and a hard place, which describes a situation where you or someone else has to make a very difficult decision between two equally undesirable options or outcomes. See examples, synonyms, and related articles on this phrase.
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Learn the various meanings and uses of the word rock, from a verb meaning to move back and forth to a noun meaning a hard place. Find synonyms, examples, phrases, and word history of rock.
Learn the meaning and usage of the idiom be (caught) between a rock and a hard place, which means to be in a very difficult situation and to have to make a hard decision. See examples, synonyms, translations and related words.
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Learn the meaning and usage of this idiom, which means facing two equally difficult or dangerous choices. Find out the origin, synonyms, and examples of this phrase from literature and media.
