Idiom Translator

How do you say “Between a rock and a hard place” in French?

The closest natural French equivalent is être pris entre le marteau et l'enclume, which literally means “to be caught between the hammer and the anvil”. English speakers use between a rock and a hard place to mean to choose between two bad options. Best for pressure from two sides. For two bad choices, “choisir entre deux maux” is clearer. Register: informal. Usage frequency: common.

Closest natural French

être pris entre le marteau et l'enclume

/ɛtʁ pʁi ɑ̃tʁ lə maʁto e lɑ̃klym/

Literal meaning
“to be caught between the hammer and the anvil”
Register
informal
How often it's used
common
Equivalence

Close equivalent

89 out of 100

What a native French speaker would actually say

The hammer and anvil image fits pressure from two sides, such as a manager and a team making conflicting demands.

For a choice between two bad outcomes, “devoir choisir entre deux maux” is more direct. Neither expression necessarily means there's no way out, only that the situation is difficult.

How close is the meaning?

  • Meaning5 out of 5
  • Tone5 out of 5
  • Context4 out of 5
  • Literal similarity3 out of 5

These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.

What are other ways to say it in French?

  • devoir choisir entre deux maux

    Literally: “to have to choose between two evils”

    Directly expresses the dilemma of two undesirable options.

  • être dans une impasse

    Literally: “to be in a dead end”

    Broader: lack a workable way forward, without requiring two choices.

In context

  • English

    She was between a rock and a hard place, caught between her boss and her team.

    French

    Elle était prise entre le marteau et l'enclume, entre son chef et son équipe.

  • English

    We're between a rock and a hard place: pay extra or miss the deadline.

    French

    Nous devons choisir entre deux maux : payer plus ou dépasser le délai.

Related expressions

Last updated 2026-09-16