Devil's advocate; If you lie down with the Devil, you will wake up in hell; Idle hands are the devil's handiwork; Devil finds work for idle hands How to use devil in a sentence. used to describe a difficult situation where there are two equally undesirable options; in a difficult and inescapable position; Example sentences — Help! The phrase was first used by Robert Monro in his expedition with the worthy Scots regiment called Mac-keyes, 1637: I, with my partie, did lie on our poste, as betwixt the devill and the deep sea. On a ship at sea this would presumably require a sailor to be suspended over the side, or at least to stand at the very edge of the deck. This is a decision between the devil and the deep blue sea, 2. Between two equally unacceptable choices. The expression is of nautical origin where 'the devil' means the seam on a ship's deck nearest its side. Idiom: (caught) between the devil and the deep blue sea. In this situation, the government finds itself caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. The expression is of nautical origin where 'the devil' means the seam on a ship's deck nearest its side. Idioms similar to 'Between the devil and the deep blue sea' Better the devil you know; Devil may care; Devil is in the detail; Let the devil take the hindmost; Speak of the devil! Devil and the Deep Blue Sea synonyms, Devil and the Deep Blue Sea pronunciation, Devil and the Deep Blue Sea translation, English dictionary definition of Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. A choice between two evils. In difficulty, faced with two dangerous alternatives. A term dating back to the early seventeenth century, it referred not to the devil of hellfire and brimstone but to a seam around a ship’s hull near the waterline. Between the Devil and the Deep Sea. Hence, anyone who found himself between the devil and the waterline of a ship or the deep blue sea had a very narrow margin for choice." In her book 'When a loose cannon flogs a dead horse there's the devil to pay' Olivia Isil attributes a nautical origin to the phrase, albeit without providing any evidence for that. I can see you're caught between the devil and the deep blue sea — if you support your daughter, your partner will be hurt. It became a cliché about the middle of the eighteenth century. A sailor attempting to caulk this seam in heavy seas was in danger of falling overboard and drowning. Her books have been published in sixteen countries, and have received ten starred reviews. "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" is an American popular song published in 1931, with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Ted Koehler, and first recorded by Cab Calloway in 1931. A Dash by Plane to Seething Morocco, a 1924 book by Knud Holmboe "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" (song), a 1931 popular song by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, a 1995 … What it does imply is that none of the available solutions will allow a resolution without some amount of frustration and damage. Learn more. The seafaring theory is plausible, but does it hold water? "Between the devil and the deep blue sea" is an idiom meaning a dilemma. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea on Wikipedia. The first recorded citation of 'the Devil and the deep sea' in print is in Robert Monro's His expedition with the worthy Scots regiment called Mac-keyes, 1637: "I, with my partie, did lie on our poste, as betwixt the devill and the deep sea.". Devil's advocate; If you lie down with the Devil, you will wake up in hell; Idle hands are the devil's handiwork; Devil … A Dash by Plane to Seething Morocco, a 1924 book by Knud Holmboe The phrase was originally 'Between the Devil and the deep sea' (and sometimes 'the Dead Sea' or 'the Red Sea'). The term was used figuratively—to mean any dilemma in which one faced danger—from that time on. BE BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary be between the devil and the deep blue sea definition: 1. to have two choices that are both equally unpleasant or not convenient 2. to have two choices…. Related to between the devil and the deep blue sea: Facing two equally unpleasant, dangerous, or risky alternatives, when the avoidance of one ensures encountering the harm of the other. The onus falls on the nautical believers to provide the evidence - and I'm not holding my breath on that. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea may also refer to: Between the Devil and the Deep Sea. A similar expression is between a rock and a hard place. This seam would need to be watertight and would need filling (caulking) from time to time. Definition of caught between the devil and the deep blue sea in the Definitions.net dictionary. Between the devil and the deep blue sea definition: If you say that you are between the devil and the deep blue sea , you mean that you are... | Meaning… What does caught between the devil and the deep blue sea expression mean? The evidence for that is lacking and it is more likely that the 'devil' is a reference to Satan. Wikipedia ; between the devil and the deep blue sea at OneLook Dictionary Search “Between the devil and the deep blue sea” in Michael Quinion, Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds: Ingenious Tales of Words and Their Origins, Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books in association with Penguin Books, 2004, →ISBN. "Between the devil and the deep blue sea" is an idiom meaning you must choose between two undesirable situations (equivalent to "between a rock and a hard place"). Marcus Rediker, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Merchant Seamen, Pirates, and the Anglo-American Maritime World, 1700-1750 (Cambridge 1987). between the devil and the deep blue sea A choice between two evils. The sea turned blue much later and the phrase became well-known via the title of a popular song Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, written by Ted Koehler and Harold Arlen, and recorded by Cab Calloway in 1931. Her books have been published in sixteen countries, and have received ten starred reviews. between the devil and the deep blue sea In a position between two undesirable alternatives; from the old nautical use of the word devil to mean a ship’s gunwale. See also 'Between a rock and a hard place'. To explain the nautical theory we'll need to define some sailing terminology. It also means either of choice will be dangerous and have the same risks and unpleasant results. be between the devil and the deep blue sea meaning: 1. to have two choices that are both equally unpleasant or not convenient 2. to have two choices…. On balance it seems wise to stay on dry land and stick with the Devil we know. The meaning of this idiom is The phrase between the devil and the deep blue sea is an idiom referring to a dilemma, a choice between two undesirable situations. The many motivations of Jack Tar "We are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea . https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/between+the+devil+and+the+deep+blue+sea. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. Find more ways to say between the devil and the deep blue sea, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. Meaning of “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” The phrase “between the devil and the deep blue sea” means a person facing two extremely difficult situations and choices. Either way it is easy to see how that might be described as 'between the devil and the deep sea'. Origin of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea The film had its world premiere under its original title The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 14, 2016. April Genevieve Tucholke is the author of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Between the Spark and the Burn, Wink Poppy Midnight, The Boneless Mercies, and Seven Endless Forests. OPEC is between the devil and the deep blue sea. - The full answer: between the devil and the deep blue sea in a sentence - Use "between the devil and the deep blue sea" in a sentence 1. For a long time we were just voting between the devil and the deep blue sea.” The protests originally began against the Nigerian police unit known as the “special anti-robbery squad”, or “SARS”, but have since become more of a protest aimed against police brutality and wider law enforcement. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Meaning Definition: Stuck between two awful choices; having two poor alternatives. This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 7th, 2015 at 4:19 pmand is filed under . The Brits, including the BBC, now use the American phrase between a rock and a hard place instead. A common idiomatic expression in use in many English speaking countries is the reference to being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. April Genevieve Tucholke is the author of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Between the Spark and the Burn, Wink Poppy Midnight, The Boneless Mercies, and Seven Endless Forests. Set against that there's the explanation that this is from the usual meaning of Devil, that is, the supreme spirit of evil. Synonyms for between the devil and the deep blue sea include between a rock and a hard place, between Scylla and Charybdis, between the hammer and the anvil, between two fires, catch-22, cornered, Hobson's choice, in a dilemma, in a pickle and in … What does caught between the devil and the deep blue sea mean? That definition wasn't entirely clear to me, but a correspondent who describes himself as 'an engineer and vessel constructor' clarified it this way: "Devil - the seam between the deck planking and the topmost plank of the ship's side". This scenario would put them between a devil-like monster and the deep blue sea in the form of a violently swirling whirlpool. What's the origin of the phrase 'Between the Devil and the deep blue sea'? It is widely believed that the phrase is of nautical origin and that the 'devil' refers to the seam on a ship's hull. between the devil and the deep blue sea phrase If you say that you are between the devil and the deep blue sea , you mean that you are in a difficult situation where you have to choose between two equally unpleasant courses of action. Between the Spark and the Burn, better than a poke in the eye (with a sharp stick), better the devil you know than the devil you don't, better the devil you know than the devil you don't know, better the devil you know than the one you don't know, between (someone or something) and (someone or something else), between two stools, one falls to the ground, between you and me and the bedpost/gatepost/four walls/lamppost, between two stools one falls to the ground, between two stools you fall to the ground. Learn more. Homer's Odyssey refers to Odysseus being caught between Scylla (a six-headed monster) and Charybdis (a whirlpool). Was the nautical term 'devil' in use when the phrase was coined? Information and translations of caught between the devil and the deep blue sea in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Incidentally, another term for filling a seam is 'paying'. People who like that explanation can point back to Greek mythology for an earlier version of the idea of being caught between evil and the sea. It was introduced in the 1931 Cotton Club show Rhythmania [2] and is now a widely recorded standard . Between the Democrats and Abolitionists at the North is as between the Devil and the deep blue sea—that is, one is about as bad as the other; for the … Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea - Idioms by The Free Dictionary caught between the devil and the deep blue sea caught between the devil and the deep blue sea Faced with two undesirable choices or situations. In the 8th century BC however a lengthy story was written by Homer called The Odyssey that describes sailors having to navigate between a six-headed sea monster (Scylla) and a giant whirlpool (Charybdis). The Book of Love is a 2016 American drama film directed and rewritten by Bill Purple from an original script by Robbie Pickering featuring Maisie Williams, Jessica Biel, Jason Sudeikis, Mary Steenburgen, Orlando Jones, and Paul Reiser.. The evidence for that is lacking and it is more likely that the 'devil' is a reference to Satan. Those that like nautical origins also give this as the source for the Devil to pay, although the evidence is against them on that one. estar entre la espada y la pared. It was introduced in the 1931 Cotton Club show Rhythmania and is now a widely recorded standard. She also curated the horror anthology Slasher Girls & Monster Boys. "Between the devil and the deep blue sea" is an idiom meaning a dilemma. In the UK one seldom hears between the devil and the deep blue sea any more, and between Scylla and Charybdis (from the story of Odysseus' perilous homeward voyage) has died out almost completely with the disappearance of a classical education. CANOE doesn't quite convince with this one. It is widely believed that the phrase is of nautical origin and that the 'devil' refers to the seam on a ship's hull. n. 1. often Devil In many religions, the major personified spirit of evil, ruler of Hell, and foe of God. If the phrase really does pre-date the word then the nautical derivation is clearly incorrect. Devil definition is - the personal supreme spirit of evil often represented in Christian belief as the tempter of humankind, the leader of all apostate angels, and the ruler of hell —usually used with the—often used as an interjection, an intensive, or a generalized term of abuse. Malcolm Tatum Last Modified Date: September 01, 2020 . Hence, anyone who found himself between the devil and the waterline of a ship or the deep blue sea had a very narrow margin for choice." Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content, Between the devil and the deep blue sea: humanising the refugee debate, Television: Sally's all knotted up! ‘Lyn Sharpe, acting headteacher at John of Gaunt, admitted she is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea after closing the gate last year for health and safety reasons.’ ‘We were stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea.’ ‘A classic case of finding oneself trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea, you will agree.’ Between the devil and the deep blue sea Everywhere I turn it's got a hold on me Between the devil and the deep blue sea Everywhere I run it won't let me be Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea Between the devil and the deep blue sea Can somebody somebody somebody help me please Between the thunder and the driving rain Could I ever be, be the same again Caught between the devil … (to be) caught between the devil and the deep blue sea - Examples:. I was between the devil and the deep blue sea, for if I didn't take out another loan—and go deeper into debt—I could not pay off the debts I already owed. She also curated the horror anthology Slasher Girls & Monster Boys. That's always dangerous ground for landlubbers and usually results in some horny-handed sailing type writing in to say that I don't know my scuppers from my square knots, but here goes anyway... "Devil - the seam which margins the waterways on a ship's hull". Meaning of caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea is an idiom. Tags: Brainwashed, Cab Calloway, George Harrison, Harlem’s Cotton Club, idiom, love ballad Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Ted Koehler and Harold Arlen, The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, The Phrase Finder. Devil definition is - the personal supreme spirit of evil often represented in Christian belief as the tempter of humankind, the leader of all apostate angels, and the ruler of hell —usually used with the—often used as an interjection, an intensive, or a generalized term of abuse. Definition of caught between the devil and the deep blue sea in the Idioms Dictionary. If it's that Devil we are talking about then the origin is straightforward - the Devil is bad and falling in the deep sea is bad, so when being caught between the two would be cause for concern. BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA - "Between equally dangerous options. Well, we would really like to know. Idioms similar to 'Between the devil and the deep blue sea' Better the devil you know; Devil may care; Devil is in the detail; Let the devil take the hindmost; Speak of the devil! The meaning of this idiom is The phrase between the devil and the deep blue sea is an idiom referring to a dilemma, a choice between two undesirable situations. No one knows for sure how this expression originated. Among the most popular of English sayings, the origins of this particular idiom is routinely debated, with some tracing the saying back to the days of Roman and Greek mythology. BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA - "Between equally dangerous options. Being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea does not mean that one or more options cannot be employed to bring resolution to a situation. ; Coronation Street (Sunday, ITV1, 8pm), Sustainable seafood: all fish dishes are not created equal, Today's Action: Tremallt run may boost Kingsmark, Tucholke, April Genevieve. Another word for between the devil and the deep blue sea. caught between the devil and the deep blue sea phrase. "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" is an American popular song published in 1931, with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Ted Koehler, and first recorded by Cab Calloway in 1931. Idiom: between the devil and the deep blue sea Meaning. Yuli Edelstein: Between the devil and the deep blue sea If the speaker of the Knesset does not stand firmly behind the institution he heads, he will be responsible for its effective disintegration With this assertion, barrister and refugee advocate Jessie Taylor pinpoints the premise of, So that French electors will in two weeks be presented with a choice, An eco-minded fish lover who commits this little cheat sheet to memory won't be left stranded. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea may also refer to: . We've no evidence to show the word in that context until over two hundred years after the first sighting of the phrase. Someone suspended, eg for painting the ship, over the gunwale would have only the sea below him. A sailor attempting to caulk this seam in heavy seas was in danger of falling overboard and drowning. 1) I am caught between the devil and the deep blue sea when I witness a coworker stealing company property.. 2) You are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea when your two best friends are fighting.. 3) He is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea when his wife and mother fight. A term dating back to the early seventeenth century, it referred not to the devil of hellfire and brimstone but to a seam around a ship’s hull near the waterline. References []. The police knew with certainty he had drugs in his car, so he became trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea: either lie to the police, or admit that the drugs belonged to him. This definition is from Admiral Henry Smyth's important Sailor's Word-Book: An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, 1867. between the devil and the deep blue sea meaning, definition, examples, origin, synonyms between the devil and the deep blue sea between the devil and the deep blue sea Meaning: between two equally difficult or unacceptable choices. CANOE, the Committee to Ascribe a Nautical Origin to Everything, would have us believe that it has a nautical origin (well, they would wouldn't they?). What's the source of the original phrase? This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. 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September 01, 2020 of Hell, and have received ten starred.. See also 'Between a rock and a hard place was coined phrase was coined what does! Introduced in the Idioms dictionary we 'll need to be ) caught between devil... Introduced in the 1931 Cotton Club show Rhythmania [ 2 ] and is now widely. Show Rhythmania [ 2 ] and is now a widely recorded standard define some sailing terminology, eg for the... Government finds itself caught between the devil and the deep blue sea ruler of,.

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