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be on the horns of a dilemma

/bi ɑn ðə hɔrnz əv ə daɪˈlɛmə/
phrase★中级— 进退两难◆成语
◆ 真正含义
形容一个人面临两个同样糟糕或困难的选择,无论选择哪一个都会带来不利后果,通常让人感到焦虑或压力。
¶ 字面意思
字面意思是'处于牛角的困境中',即被牛角顶住无法动弹。
字面拆解
be on在...上+the horns牛角+of a dilemma困境的
正式

面临一个必须在两个同样糟糕或困难的选择之间做出抉择的境地,通常让人感到压力或焦虑。

The government is on the horns of a dilemma: raising taxes will anger voters, but cutting spending could harm the economy.

政府正处于进退两难的境地:加税会激怒选民,但削减开支可能损害经济。

I'm on the horns of a dilemma about whether to accept the job offer or stay in my current position.

我正在为是否接受这份工作Offer还是留在现有职位上而左右为难。

💡

强调的是心理上的困境感,而非字面上的牛角。

搭配

find oneself on the horns of a dilemma发现自己陷入进退两难的境地put someone on the horns of a dilemma使某人陷入进退两难

同义词

be in a quandarybe in a picklebe torn between two choicesbe stuck between a rock and a hard place

反义词

have an easy choicebe spoilt for choice

相关短语

between the devil and the deep blue sea成语
进退维谷,面临两个同样糟糕的选择
catch-22成语
悖论困境,指一个无法解决的矛盾局面
no-win situation短语
无法取胜的局面

💡专业提示

记忆技巧

将'horns'(牛角)想象成两个尖锐的选择,让人感到刺痛或压力。'dilemma'的发音类似中文的'进退两难',可以联想记忆。

⚡黄金法则

使用场景

仅用于描述必须在两个同样不理想或困难的选择之间做出抉择的情况,切勿用于描述简单的选择或单一困境。

📖词源

源于古希腊神话中宙斯与赫拉的故事。宙斯将一位名为达摩克利斯的廷臣邀请到宴会上,让他坐在用一根马鬃悬挂的剑下,象征权力背后的危险。后被引申为形容面临危险或困境的状态。idiom中的'horns'指的是牛角,比喻两难境地的尖锐性。

📝用法说明

常用于正式或书面语境,描述抽象的心理困境而非实际的物理困境。避免在描述无关紧要的小事时使用。

单词拆解

be on
处于某种状态
phrase
+
the horns
牛角(比喻尖锐的困境)
noun
+
of a dilemma
困境的
noun
英汉词典

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