bɪˈtwiːn ðə ˈdevəl ænd ðə diːp bluː siː
- Literally:
- Positioned between Satan and the ocean
What does "between the devil and the deep blue sea" mean?
- Facing two equally dangerous or difficult alternatives
- Having to choose between two equally bad options
Examples
- Choosing between job security and following my passion puts me between the devil and the deep blue sea.
- The country is between the devil and the deep blue sea economically.
- I'm between the devil and the deep blue sea with these two options.
Origin
Nautical origin from the 17th century. The 'devil' was a seam on a ship's hull near the waterline—difficult to repair. Workers had to choose between the devil (dangerous work position) and the sea (falling in).
How to use it
Less common than 'between a rock and a hard place' but still widely understood. More literary in tone.
Similar expressions
Opposites
Related idioms
- out of the blue
Unexpectedly; without warning
- beat around the bush
To avoid talking about the main point of a conversation
- every cloud has a silver lining
There is something positive in every negative situation
- go with the flow
To accept things as they are and adapt accordingly
- once in a blue moon
Very rarely; almost never
- tip of the iceberg
A small visible part of a much larger hidden problem
Use it in a practice answer
Try "between the devil and the deep blue sea" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.