Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.

Dilemma

A pond in front and a stream behind. (Between two evils.)Modern Greek.

A precipice in front, a wolf behind.Latin.

Between hawk and buzzard.

Between Scylla and Charybdis.

Between the devil and the deep sea.

Between the hammer and the anvil.German, Dutch.

Flying from the bull he fell into the river.Spanish.

I have a wolf by the ears, I can neither part with her nor keep her.Terence.

In avoiding Charybdis he falls into Scylla.

Like the boy with the bear, he couldn’t hold on’t and was afraid to let go.

To be aground on the same rock. (To be in the same dilemma.)Latin.

To be in the same hospital.