in a cleft stick
The idiom "in a cleft stick" is primarily used in British and Australian English to describe a predicament with no good options.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
C1General
(British, Australian, dated)Being in a difficult situation where any choice leads to negative outcomes.
Example
- She found herself in a cleft stick, as either decision would upset someone.
- When both job offers came with significant drawbacks, he felt like he was in a cleft stick.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "in a cleft stick":