ποΈ Idiom: Between a Rock and a Hard Place (ph)
π¬ Meaning
- To be in a difficult situation with no easy or good choices.
- It means facing two bad options and having to choose between them.
π§ Example Sentences
- Weβre between a rock and a hard place: either we cut staff or miss our deadlines.
- The company was between a rock and a hard place during the budget crisis.
- She felt stuck between a rock and a hard place when choosing between two important clients.
ποΈ Origin
This idiom comes from the idea of being trapped between two hard surfaces with no easy escape. In business, it describes situations where every option has serious downsides.
π Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
Choosing between raising prices or cutting staff put the team __________.
Answer
between a rock and a hard place
2. Choose the correct meaning of βbetween a rock and a hard placeβ:
A) Being given many good options
B) Facing two difficult choices
C) Making a quick and easy decision
D) Solving a problem with no effort
Answer
B) Facing two difficult choices
3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:
βThe company had to choose between two bad options.β β Change the sentence using: between a rock and a hard place
Answer
The company was between a rock and a hard place.
βΉοΈ Other Useful Pages
π Problem Solving and Decision Making Idioms
π Business English Idioms List
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