on the horns of a dilemma

== English == === Etymology === 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. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɒn‿ðə ˈhɔːnz‿əv‿ə daɪˈlɛmə/, /-dɪˈlɛmə/ (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɑn‿ðə ˈhɔɹnz‿əv‿ə daɪˈlɛmə/, /-dɪˈlɛmə/ Rhymes: -ɛmə Hyphenation: on the horns of a di‧lem‧ma === Prepositional phrase === on the horns of a dilemma (idiomatic) Facing a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives. Synonyms: between a rock and a hard place, between Scylla and Charybdis, damned if one does and damned if one doesn't; see also Thesaurus:in a dilemma ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === dilemma on Wikipedia.Wikipedia “on the horns of a dilemma, phrase” under “horn, n.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022. “be on the horns of a dilemma”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present. “be on the horns of a dilemma” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman. “on the horns of a dilemma” (US) / “on the horns of a dilemma” (UK) in Macmillan English Dictionary. “on the horns of a dilemma”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.