The origin of the saying is taken from the ancient Greek mythology of "The Odyssey". In his efforts to return home, Odysseys must pass between Scylla and Charybdis. Scylla was a horrible man-eating monster that struck from above on the cliffs (the "rock") while Charydbis was a treacherous whirlpool (the "hard place"). Hence "to be between a rock and a hard place" is to have a dilemma.
The rock is called a "hard place," as in the phrase "caught between a rock and a hard place." This idiom represents a difficult situation where one is faced with two equally challenging options or obstacles.
I suddenly found myself caught between a rock and a hard place. This means that I am faced with two unpleasant alternatives. By the way this is a hackneyed phrase - I would not use it .
'between a rock and a hard place' This means you have two difficult options to choose from. Trying to help my friend with our term assignment puts me between a rock and a hard place because I don't want to tell him all my ideas but I want to help him.
The distance between a rock and a hard place.
Flip This House - 2005 Between a Rock and a Hard Place - 1.12 was released on: USA: 16 January 2006
I am between a rock and a hard place. The cat is between two dogs.
Flip This House - 2005 Between a Rock and a Hard Place 1-12 was released on: USA: 16 January 2006
Snooki and JWOWW - 2012 Between a Rock and a Hard Place 2-8 is rated/received certificates of: Netherlands:6
Rude Awakening - 1998 Between a Rock Star and a Hard Place - 2.6 was released on: USA: 31 July 1999
James Bond Jr- - 1991 Between a Rock and a Hard Place 1-52 was released on: USA: 1991
The idiom "stuck between a rock and a hard place" is used to describe a situation where someone is faced with two equally difficult choices or options. It conveys a sense of being trapped or having limited options for resolution.
It is based on the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place, by Aron Ralston.