between the devil and the deep blue sea
Meaning
In a situation with two bad choices, where avoiding one problem means facing another.
Origin
Often linked to maritime life: “the devil” could mean a dangerous seam on a wooden ship’s hull; sailors working there risked falling into the sea. It came to mean being stuck between two dangers.
Notes
Used when both options are unpleasant and there’s no good way out. Slightly more vivid/idiomatic (sometimes a bit more formal) than “between a rock and a hard place.”
Examples
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If I report my boss, I could lose my job; if I don’t, the fraud continues—I'm between the devil and the deep blue sea.
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With rent due tomorrow and my paycheck delayed, I felt stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea.
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She was between the devil and the deep blue sea: accept the promotion and move away, or stay and miss the opportunity.
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The senator was between the devil and the deep blue sea, pressured by donors on one side and voters on the other.
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When the car broke down in a storm with no signal, we were between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used after verbs like “be” or “find yourself”: “I’m between the devil and the deep blue sea.” Fairly fixed wording; sometimes shortened to “between the devil and the deep sea.”
Synonyms
- between a rock and a hard place
- caught in a bind
- in a dilemma
- between two evils
Antonyms
- win-win situation
- have the best of both worlds