having only two very unpleasant choices between a rock and a hard placeOur country is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea - our leaders cause great suffering, but an invasion aimed at overthrowing them would bring many other problems.
if you are between the devil and the deep blue sea, you must choose between two equally unpleasant situations For most people a visit to the dentist is the result of a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea - if you go you suffer, and if you don't go you suffer.