Definitions

between a rock and a hard place

Part of Speech:

All (2) Adjective (1) Noun (1)

Jump To:

ADJECTIVE

between the devil and the deep blue sea

Synonyms

WEAK

Catch-22 Hobson's choice between Scylla and Charybdis between the hammer and the anvil between two fires cornered in a dilemma in a pickle in a predicament in the middle no choice sitting on a powder keg

NOUN

bind

Synonyms

STRONGEST

crunch dilemma pickle predicament quandary

STRONG

difficulty nuisance

WEAK

hot water no-win situation sticky situation tight situation tight spot

Antonyms

STRONGEST

solution

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

between a rock and a hard place

Still, farmers are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

From Salon ● May 15, 2026

You are between a rock and a hard place.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026

Lisa Robicheau describes her life as "stuck between a rock and a hard place".

From BBC ● Mar. 21, 2026

"They're caught between a rock and a hard place," said Martin.

From Barron's ● Jan. 27, 2026

Catiline, in other words, is wedged firmly between a rock and a hard place.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith