Scylla & Charybdis or Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Charybdis, in Greek mythology, was a sea monster that Hercules defeated. The monster sought safety in the rocks on one side of the Strait of Messina (Italy). She lay there and created a whirlpool to catch any ships that passed by. She would eat the sailors.
Scylla was also a sea monster in Greek mythology. Originally she was a beautiful nymph. But because of a jealous god (so the story goes) she was changed into an ugly creature that looked like a dog with many heads and feet. Scylla lived on the other side of the Strait of Messina. Any ships that avoided the whirlpool Charybdis would be captured by Scylla and she would the sailors.
This is an old saying that expresses the idea of dilemma (predicament, "Catch-22"), a problem that has two possible solutions, both of which have drawbacks (danger). This can also be expressed as being " On the Horns of a Dilemma". The image is that you are standing in front of an animal with horns, say a bull, and will be stabbed by either one, depending on which way you move (which decision you make).
Copyright: 2004 English 4 All, Inc.