Definitions

between a rock and a hard place

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.

You are between a rock and a hard place.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

She may soon find herself between a rock and a hard place.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026

“She’s between a rock and a hard place on fiscal,” he notes.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

Nor are you the only person who feels caught between a rock and a hard place.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 13, 2025

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

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith