Between a rock and a hard place
/bɪˈtwiːn ə rɒk ən ə hɑːd pleɪs/neutralUK · US
What does “Between a rock and a hard place” mean?
Between a rock and a hard place means to choose between two bad options.
Leaving a job might mean losing your income; staying might mean working hours you cannot manage. Either choice creates a problem.
That's being “between a rock and a hard place.” It doesn't mean a decision is impossible, only that none of the available options is good.
When do people say it?
Use it to explain a dilemma in which avoiding one problem creates another.
“If I report my colleague, she may lose her job; if I stay quiet, the mistakes will continue. I'm between a rock and a hard place.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: neutral. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
Picture being trapped with a rock on one side and nowhere to move on the other. The phrase uses that image for a choice where both options cause problems.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “Between a rock and a hard place” in other languages?
Related idioms
- On thin ice, In a risky situation close to trouble.
- The best of both worlds, Enjoying the benefits of two different things at once.
Last updated 2026-09-16