The origin of the idiom "between the devil and the deep blue sea" can be attributed to nautical folklore and maritime language. In old sailing terminology, "the devil" referred to the seam (gap) between the planks of a ship's hull, which was known for being narrow and hard to access. On the other hand, "the deep blue sea" symbolized the vast, unknown and potentially dangerous waters. Sailors faced a dilemma when repairing a ship's hull: they had to choose between the difficulty of fixing the devil or the risk of going into the deep blue sea. It is often used to convey a sense of being trapped or in a predicament without any ideal solution.

What is the origin of the idiom "between the devil and the deep blue sea" and when to use it?

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between the devil and the deep blue sea

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Definition und Bedeutung von „between the devil and the deep blue sea“ im Englischen

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