between\ a\ rock\ and\ a\ hard\ place

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
See: between the devil and the deep blue sea

Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • between a rock and a hard place — See: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • between a rock and a hard place — See: BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • between a rock and a hard place — If you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you are in a position where you have to choose between unpleasant alternatives, and your choice might cause you problems; you will not be able to satisfy everyone …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • Between a Rock and a Hard Place — is a book, published in 2004, that recounts the life of Aron Ralston as it leads up to his entrapment in Blue John Canyon in the Utah desert and how he was forced to amputate his lower right arm with a low quality multitool (a dull knife) in… …   Wikipedia

  • between a rock and a hard place — phrasal or between the rock and the hard place : in a difficult or uncomfortable position with no attractive way out * * * between a rock and a hard place In a situation where one has to choose between two equally undesirable alternatives • • •… …   Useful english dictionary

  • between a rock and a hard place — mod. in a very difficult position; facing a hard decision. □ You got him caught between a rock and a hard place, for sure. □ I’m between a rock and a hard place. I don’t know what to do …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • between a rock and a hard place —    If you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you are in a position where you have to choose between unpleasant alternatives, and your choice might cause you problems; you will not be able to satisfy everyone.   (Dorking School… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • Between a rock and a hard place —   If you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you are in a position where you have to choose between unpleasant alternatives, and your choice might cause you problems; you will not be able to satisfy everyone …   Dictionary of English idioms

  • between a rock and a hard place —  A difficult situation.  ► “U.S. prison and prison food services are between a rock and a hard place with overcrowding, and the prevailing tough on crime political sentiment.” (Restaurants & Institutions, March 1, 1995, p. 121) …   American business jargon

  • between a rock and a hard place — having only two very unpleasant choices. Schools for problem kids are between a rock and a hard place they can be sued if children run away and get hurt, but have no power to keep the door locked …   New idioms dictionary

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