on the horns of a dilemma
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on the horns of a dilemma
- /ɒn‿ðə ˈhɔːnz‿əv‿ə daɪˈlɛmə/ UK
- /-dɪˈlɛmə/ UK
- /ɑn‿ðə ˈhɔɹnz‿əv‿ə daɪˈlɛmə/ UK
Rhymes with -ɛmə
Where it comes from
From horn (“alternative in an argument”), from Latin argūmentum cornūtum (“argument with alternatives”, literally “horned argument”), a reference to an alternative that one can metaphorically get caught on or injured by.
phrase
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Facing a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives.
To admit of the abſolute foreknovvledge of God, and yet to deny his predeſtination, even in its fulleſt extent, is a palpable abſurdity. The diſputant ſticks faſt on the horns of a dilemma, from vvhich he never can be diſengaged, vvithout the extraction of one. And yet to deny either, involves an eq
Similar: between a rock and a hard place, between Scylla and Charybdis, damned if one does and damned if one doesn't, between the devil and the deep blue sea, between the hammer and the anvil, between two fires, doomed if you do, doomed if you don't, in a cleft stick, in bad bread, on the horns of a dilemma
Translations
Every language
prep_phrase Translations
| Español | entre la espada y la pared |
|---|---|
| Français | entre le marteau et l’enclume |
Talk about this word "on the horns of a dilemma." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/on%20the%20horns%20of%20a%20dilemma. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026. on the horns of a dilemma. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 7, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/on%20the%20horns%20of%20a%20dilemma "on the horns of a dilemma." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 7, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/on%20the%20horns%20of%20a%20dilemma.Cite this
@misc{on_the_horns_of_a_dilemma_2026,
title = {on the horns of a dilemma},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/on%20the%20horns%20of%20a%20dilemma},
urldate = {2026-11-07}
}
