Caught between Scylla and Charybdis
Meaning
To be in a predicament where one must choose between two equally perilous or undesirable alternatives.
Origin
In Homer's epic Odyssey, the hero Odysseus faced a harrowing choice while navigating a narrow strait. On one side loomed Scylla, a monstrous creature with six heads that would snatch sailors from their ship. On the other side, the terrifying Charybdis lurked, a colossal whirlpool that swallowed ships whole thrice a day. Circe, the sorceress, had warned Odysseus that his only chance was to sail closer to Scylla and sacrifice some men, rather than risk total annihilation in Charybdis's maw. This impossible dilemma, where steering clear of one danger inevitably led to another, cemented the phrase as a timeless metaphor for being trapped between two equally catastrophic options.
Examples
- The CEO was caught between Scylla and Charybdis, having to choose between laying off staff or declaring bankruptcy.
- She felt caught between Scylla and Charybdis, knowing that either quitting her toxic job or staying would have severe consequences.