Question

Between a Rock and a Hard Place being in a very tight spot and faced with a difficult decision

Accepted Answer

It's a tough choice between getting to the big game on time or waiting for Mr. Smith to call. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. In this American saying from the early 20th century, you can picture someone actually squeezed between a rock and a hard place. He or she has to turn one way or the other, but neither way is very pleasant. A similar expression from an earlier time is "between the devil and the deep blue sea" (see next entry).

Idiom	Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Example	It's a tough choice between getting to the big game on time or waiting for Mr. Smith to call. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Meaning	being in a very tight spot and faced with a difficult decision
Origin	In this American saying from the early 20th century, you can picture someone actually squeezed between a rock and a hard place. He or she has to turn one way or the other, but neither way is very pleasant. A similar expression from an earlier time is "between the devil and the deep blue sea" (see next entry).

Rock Hard Place Time Tough Choice Big Game