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Between Scylla and Charybdis

What Does "Between Scylla and Charybdis" Mean?

homeidiomsBetween Scylla and Charybdis
"Between Scylla and Charybdis" is an English idiom. It means "having to choose between two equally dangerous situations." It is from Greek mythology.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "between scylla and charybdis" used in a sentence:
  • I felt caught between Scylla and Charybdis, as both options seemed potentially harmful.
  • Choosing between these two deals is like navigating between Scylla and Charybdis.
  • Sometimes politics is like being caught between Scylla and Charybdis.
meaning for between scylla and charybdis

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Between Scylla and Charybdis" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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