Earlier this week I used this idiomatic expression in Spanish and my student Wesley gave me the equivalent in English, which I can’t pronounce without thinking in the almighty Rolling Stones’ song.

When we are between a rock and a hard place, we are between the sword and the wall. It applies to all situations where no option is really an alternative or when you are standing in a bad position.

It has a medieval touch, doesn’t it?

• Lucho está entre la espada y la pared: Paula está embarazada y se quedó sin laburo.
• Estoy entre la espada y la pared: si renuncio me quedo sin un mango, pero las cosas en el laburo están muy mal.

See you next time you come around,

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