Scylla and Charybdis

noun
🔊/ˌsɪlə ən kəˈrɪbdɪs/
🔊/ˌsɪlə ən kəˈrɪbdɪs/
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  1. used to refer to a situation in which an attempt to avoid one danger increases the risk from another danger腹背受敌;进退两难
    Word OriginFrom ancient Greek stories in which a female sea creature (called Scylla) tried to catch and eat sailors who passed between her cave and a whirlpool (called Charybdis).