Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
between-scylla-and-charybdis
idiom
/bɪˈtwiːn ˈsɪlə ənd kəˈrɪbdɪs/
Definition
A phrase describing a situation where one has to choose between two equally dangerous or unfavorable options.
Examples
- When it comes to making budget cuts, the manager feels like he is between Scylla and Charybdis, choosing between laying off workers or reducing resources.
- She found herself between Scylla and Charybdis when deciding whether to take a risk in her business or play it safe and lose out on potential opportunities.
Meaning
The term refers to being caught in a dilemma between two adverse conditions, much like the mythological navigation challenges faced by Odysseus.
Synonyms
- Between a rock and a hard place
- Caught in a dilemma
- Stuck between two evils
