"caught between a rock and a hard place" does it come from a mountaineer's perspective?
2006-06-23 17:34:12 · 14 answers · asked by Dean B 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
it means you can give me ten points for me answering this question.....
2006-06-23 17:41:30 · answer #1 · answered by Stormie k 2 · 4⤊ 7⤋
Meaning: To have no good alternatives.
Example: He is caught between a rock and a hard place. He can stay in a bad marriage, or pay alimony.
Origin: A reference to Odysseus' dilemma of passing between Scylla and Charybdis (figuratively a rock and a hard place). Scylla was a monster on the cliffs and Charydbis was a dangerous whirlpool. Neither fate was more attractive as both were difficult to overcome.
2006-06-24 00:51:45 · answer #2 · answered by G.V. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The literal imagery would be standing against a rock wall with a large boulder rolling at you. It means that your in trouble and have no where to go and have no more options left to you.
2006-06-24 00:39:22 · answer #3 · answered by wyntyr_dreemz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'early man' and some apes placed the long bones of their kills upon a hard place, [usually another rock], and broke them open with a rock to get at the marrow for dining.
2006-06-24 00:47:05 · answer #4 · answered by fybwags 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means you are in the middle of a situation that you can't get past (rock). but as well as that you don't find the things you need to be open and free yourself easily (hard place).
2006-06-24 03:44:44 · answer #5 · answered by INOTFRIEND 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means you fell into a crevice while rock-climbing alone. you are hopelessly stuck and without a chance of getting rescued. you will now starve and die slowly over a period of three weeks while birds and bugs eat your soft tissues.
2006-06-24 02:43:10 · answer #6 · answered by deep blue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means there are no good choices left. Use your brain for something other than keeping your head from collapsing.
2006-06-24 00:38:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means, Its time you took the right decision!
2006-06-24 01:57:03 · answer #8 · answered by exp.arbhatti 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means that theres something hard pushing at you from both sides, you cant get out
2006-06-24 00:39:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means caught in troubles.
2006-06-24 07:41:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, because you're stuck with no place to go and no room to move ie: no options or choices
2006-06-24 00:38:55 · answer #11 · answered by Lucy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋