cleft stick

剑桥词典

 be in a cleft stick

to be in a situation where it is very difficult to decide what to do, usually because both of your two choices of action would cause problems
进退维谷，左右为难；陷于窘境
UN troops are in a cleft stick : something has to be done for the civilian population , yet to retaliate would surely be the spark to ignite all-out war . 联合国军队进退两难：为了平民不得不采取行动，可是还击势必会引发全面战争。 返回 cleft stick