PhrasesHub

Devil and the deep blue sea

    Definitions

      • being in a difficult or dangerous situation with no easy escape
        To describe a situation where one is faced with two equally unpleasant options and must choose between them

      • being caught between two opposing forces or ideas
        To describe a dilemma where one is torn between two conflicting choices or beliefs

      • facing a hopeless or impossible situation
        To describe a predicament with no good solution or outcome

    Examples of Devil and the deep blue sea

    • She was caught between a rock and a hard place, but in this case it was the devil and deep blue sea. She had to choose between her cheating husband or her abusive lover. Her only options seemed to be a cheating husband or an abusive lover, both of which were equally undesirable. The use of this idiom highlights the difficult position she found herself in.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where one is faced with equally undesirable choices. It originates from the image of being trapped between the deep blue sea and the devil, both of which are dangerous and frightening prospects. The idiom emphasizes the difficulty and conflict in making a decision and highlights the person's helplessness and desperation.

    • Jacob had always been a straight-A student, but this time he was caught between a rock and a hard place - the devil and deep blue sea. He had to choose between helping his sickly grandmother with her household chores or studying for his upcoming Maths exam which he needed to ace to meet his parents' high expectations. The anxiety he felt weighed heavily on him as he struggled to find a solution.

      In this example, the idiom is used to describe a situation where someone has to make a difficult decision as the alternatives seem to have more negative consequences than positive ones. This idiom underlines the emotional and psychological struggle of making a tough decision and conveys a sense of being trapped in a difficult situation.

    • The stock market had been volatile for weeks, and the investors were caught in the devil and deep blue sea. They were faced with a choice between keeping the stock even if they suspected it might fall, or selling it and facing a heavy loss. They were trapped between the two unlike outcomes adding to the uncertainty and anxiety that plagued them.

      This idiom is used to describe a precarious or uncertain situation where an individual has to grapple with contradictory and difficult outcomes. It is used amidst the concept of gambling or investment, where an investor tries to foresee the future and attain potential benefits, while being faced with the possibility of losing a considerable amount of capital. This idiom underlines the emotional and psychological strain of decision making in an uncertain and dangerous scenario.

    • The government had imposed a lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Small businesses craved for a lifeline, but the lockdown seemed to be the devil or deep blue sea. They were stuck between having to pay their rent, bills, employees or shutting down their business and risking bankruptcy.

      This idiom is used to describe challenging circumstances where an individual confronts a choice between equally hazardous results. This idiom highlights the gravity of decision making during unsettling and unpredictable periods, where the choices appear to have unfavourable consequences, whether it is for oneself or for others. The idiom underlines the emotional and psychological burden of making decisions in a situation where no perfect solution seems to be available.In all of these examples, the idiom "Devil and the deep blue sea" highlights the predicament of having to choose between similar yet disparate outcomes, implying that the individual is stuck between two equally catastrophic results. The idiom emphasizes the desperation, anxiety, and helplessness felt while making a decision in such a challenging circumstance.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "devil and the deep blue sea" is often used to describe a situation where one is caught between two undesirable options or facing a difficult and seemingly impossible situation. It can also be used to describe a dilemma where one is torn between conflicting choices or beliefs. In both cases, the implication is that there is no easy way out and the individual is left with no good options.

    This idiom can also be used in a metaphorical sense to describe a feeling of being trapped or overwhelmed by circumstances. The "devil" represents a negative force or influence, while the "deep blue sea" symbolizes a vast and unknown danger.

    Origin of "Devil and the deep blue sea"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the late 18th or early 19th century, when it was commonly used by sailors and seafarers. The "devil" referred to the ship's hull, which was often painted red and was considered the most difficult and dangerous area to work on. The "deep blue sea" referred to the vast and unpredictable ocean, which was seen as a perilous and foreboding place.

    Over time, the idiom became more commonly used outside of the nautical context and took on a broader meaning. It has been used in literature, music, and everyday speech to convey a sense of being trapped or facing a hopeless situation.