Etymology

between a rock and a hard place

Today it means: In a difficult and inescapable position. Full definition →

First used early 20th c.
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The story

Originated in the United States before 1918 in the Southwest, possibly in connection with mining. Related to the concept of the Ancient Greeks: between Scylla and Charybdis.

First known use, by meaning

  • from early 20th c. In a difficult and inescapable position.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.