Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

be between the devil and the deep blue sea

idiom

/biː bɪˈtwiːn ðə ˈdɛvəl ənd ðə diːp bluː siː/

Definition

To be in a difficult situation where one must choose between two equally unpleasant options.

Examples

After losing his job, he felt like he was between the devil and the deep blue sea, having to choose between a low-paying job or prolonged unemployment.
She was between the devil and the deep blue sea when she had to decide whether to accept a job far from home or stay unemployed.

Meaning

This phrase describes a scenario in which a person is faced with a dilemma, often with no favorable outcome available. It implies a sense of being trapped between two challenging choices.