释义 |
Scylla
Scyl·la P0638000 (sĭl′ə)n. Greek Mythology A female sea monster who lived in a cave opposite Charybdis and devoured sailors.Idiom: between Scylla and Charybdis In a position where avoidance of one danger exposes one to another danger.Scylla (ˈsɪlə) n1. (Classical Myth & Legend) Greek myth a sea nymph transformed into a sea monster believed to drown sailors navigating the Strait of Messina. She was identified with a rock off the Italian coast. Compare Charybdis2. between Scylla and Charybdis in a predicament in which avoidance of either of two dangers means exposure to the otherScyl•la (ˈsɪl ə) n. 1. a rock in the Strait of Messina off the S coast of Italy. 2. a sea nymph of Greek myth who was transformed into a monster: later identified with the rock Scylla. Idioms: between Scylla and Charybdis, between two equally perilous alternatives. ThesaurusNoun | 1. | Scylla - (Greek mythology) a sea nymph transformed into a sea monster who lived on one side of a narrow strait; drowned and devoured sailors who tried to escape Charybdis (a whirlpool) on the other side of the straitGreek mythology - the mythology of the ancient Greeks | TranslationsScylla
between Scylla and CharybdisFacing two equally unpleasant, dangerous, or risky alternatives, where the avoidance of one ensures encountering the harm of the other. Refers to the Greek mythological sea beasts Scylla and Charybdis, which inhabited a sea passage so narrow as to ensure a ship would be forced into the grasp of one or the other. I was between Scylla and Charybdis, for if I didn't take out another loan—and go deeper into debt—I could not pay off the debts I already owed. The police knew with certainty he had drugs in his car, so he became trapped between Scylla and Charybdis: either lie to the police, or admit that the drugs belonged to him.See also: and, between, Charybdis, ScyllaScylla and CharybdisTwo equally unpleasant, dangerous, or risky alternatives, where the avoidance of one ensures encountering the harm of the other. Refers to the Greek mythological sea beasts Scylla and Charybdis, which inhabited a sea passage so narrow as to ensure a ship would be forced into the grasp of one or the other. I was between Scylla and Charybdis, for if I didn't take out another loan—and go deeper into debt—I could not pay off the debts I already owed. The police knew with certainty he had drugs in his car, so he became trapped between Scylla and Charybdis: either lie to the police, or admit that the drugs belonged to him.See also: and, Charybdis, Scyllabetween a rock and a hard placeFacing two equally unpleasant, dangerous, or risky alternatives, where the avoidance of one ensures encountering the harm of the other. I was between a rock and a hard place, for if I didn't take out another loan—and go deeper into debt—I could not pay off the debts I already owed. You were really between a rock and a hard place when you had to choose between your career and your relationship.See also: and, between, hard, place, rockbetween a rock and a hard place and between the devil and the deep blue seaFig. in a very difficult position; facing a hard decision. I couldn't make up my mind. I was caught between a rock and a hard place. He had a dilemma on his hands. He was clearly between the devil and the deep blue sea.See also: and, between, hard, place, rockbetween a rock and a hard placeAlso, between the devil and the deep blue sea or Scylla and Charybdis . Between two equally difficult or unacceptable choices. For example, Trying to please both my boss and his supervisor puts me between a rock and a hard place . The rock and hard place version is the newest of these synonymous phrases, dating from the early 1900s, and alludes to being caught or crushed between two rocks. The oldest is Scylla and Charybdis, which in Homer's Odyssey signified a monster on a rock (Scylla) and a fatal whirlpool (Charybdis), between which Odysseus had to sail through a narrow passage. It was used figuratively by the Roman writer Virgil and many writers since. The devil in devil and deep blue sea, according to lexicographer Charles Earle Funk, referred to a seam around a ship's hull near the waterline, which, if a sailor was trying to caulk it in heavy seas, would cause him to fall overboard. Others disagree, however, and believe the phrase simply alludes to a choice between hellfire with the devil and drowning in deep waters. See also: and, between, hard, place, rockbetween a rock and a hard place If you are between a rock and a hard place, you are in a difficult situation where you have to choose between two equally unpleasant courses of action. You're between a rock and a hard place here. If you challenge John about his decision, he's going to be annoyed but if you don't, your staff are going to hate you. Note: People often say that they are caught or stuck between a rock and a hard place. We were caught between a rock and a hard place. We could spend two months planning the operation properly and people would say we were too late, or we could start immediately and be criticized for lack of preparation. Goss finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place. Whichever course of action he chooses, he'll lose the support of some people.See also: and, between, hard, place, rockbetween Scylla and Charybdis LITERARYIf you are between Scylla and Charybdis, you have to choose between two possible courses of action, both of which seem equally bad. He's truly between Scylla and Charybdis this time, so he had better get some good advice. Note: This expression is variable. During these years, America's economy steered a remarkable course between the Scylla of inflation and the Charybdis of recession. Note: In Greek mythology, Scylla and Charybdis were monsters who lived on either side of the Straits of Messina. Scylla lived on a rock on the Italian side, and had twelve heads, with which she swallowed sailors. Charybdis lived on the coast of Sicily and swallowed the sea three times a day, creating a whirlpool. See also: and, between, Charybdis, Scyllabetween a rock and a hard place in a situation where you are faced with two equally difficult or unpleasant alternatives. informal 1998 Times They are saying now, as they once said of Richard Nixon , that Bill Clinton is ‘between a rock and a hard place’. See also: and, between, hard, place, rockScylla and Charybdis used to refer to a situation involving two dangers in which an attempt to avoid one increases the risk from the other. literary In classical mythology, Scylla was a female sea monster who devoured sailors when they tried to navigate the narrow channel between her and the whirlpool Charybdis. In later legends, Scylla was a dangerous rock, located on the Italian side of the Strait of Messina, a channel which separates the island of Sicily from the ‘toe’ of Italy.See also: and, Charybdis, Scylla(caught/stuck) between a ˌrock and a ˈhard place in a situation where you have to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant: The workers now feel that they are caught between a rock and a hard place. They don’t agree with the new terms and conditions, but if they go on strike they may lose their jobs altogether.See also: and, between, hard, place, rockbetween a rock and a hard place mod. in a very difficult position; facing a hard decision. I’m between a rock and a hard place. I don’t know what to do. See also: and, between, hard, place, rock between a rock and a hard place Confronted with equally unpleasant alternatives and few or no opportunities to evade or circumvent them.See also: and, between, hard, place, rock between Scylla and Charybdis In a position where avoidance of one danger exposes one to another danger.See also: and, between, Charybdis, Scyllabetween a rock and a hard placeFaced with a choice between two unpleasant alternatives, or two evils. A newer version of between the devil and the deep blue sea and the classic between Scylla and Charybdis, this expression is American in origin and dates from the early twentieth century. See also: and, between, hard, place, rockbetween Scylla and CharybdisA choice between two evils. In Homer’s Odyssey (ca. 850 b.c.) the hero must sail a narrow passage between Scylla, a monster on a rock, and Charybdis, a fatal whirlpool. If he avoids one evil, he must run into the other. This situation was repeated figuratively by writers from Virgil to Shaw (Pygmalion, 1912: “It’s a choice between the Skilly of the workhouse and Char Bydis of the middle class”).See also: and, between, Charybdis, Scyllabetween Scylla and CharybdisFacing the dilemma of two dangerous positions. Homer's Odyssey tells us about two sea monsters that occupied opposite banks of the Strait of Messina between the island of Sicily and mainland Italy. Scylla had six heads that ate sailors who passed too close. Charybdis expelled sea water to create whirlpools that capsized ships that sailed too close. Faced with that option, Odysseus chose to sail toward Scylla and lose only a few crew members rather than risk Charybdis's whirlpool capsizing the ship and drowning everyone (including himself ). As classical education waned and fewer and fewer people understood who Scylla and Charybdis were (hot-house plants? sexually transmitted diseases?), the phrase was replaced by the similar but far less esoteric “between the devil and the deep blue sea.”See also: and, between, Charybdis, ScyllaScylla
Scylla (sĭl`ə), in Greek mythology. 1 Sea monster. According to one legend Circe, jealous of the sea god Glaucus' love for Scylla, changed her from a beautiful nymph into a horrible doglike creature with six heads and twelve feet; according to another, Amphitrite, jealous of Poseidon's love for her, transformed her into the ugly monster. Scylla lived on the rocks on the Italian side of the Strait of Messina, where she seized sailors from passing ships and devoured them. On the other side of the strait was the whirlpool Charybdis. Odysseus in his wanderings passed between them, as did Jason and the Argonauts. 2 Daughter of Nisus, king of Megara. She betrayed her father to his enemy Minos, but when she sought Minos' love, he scorned her.Scyllahalf beautiful maiden, half hideous dog. [Gk. Lit.: Odyssey; Rom. Lit.: Metamorphoses]See: Monsters
Scyllaand Charybdis two equally dangerous alternatives. [Gk. Lit.: Odyssey, Espy, 41]See: PredicamentScylla Greek myth a sea nymph transformed into a sea monster believed to drown sailors navigating the Strait of Messina. She was identified with a rock off the Italian coast Scylla Related to Scylla: CharybdisWords related to Scyllanoun (Greek mythology) a sea nymph transformed into a sea monster who lived on one side of a narrow straitRelated Words |