on the horns of a dilemma

介词短语
中文释义
英 /ɒn‿ðə ˈhɔːnz‿əv‿ə daɪˈlɛmə/|/-dɪˈlɛmə/|/ɑn‿ðə ˈhɔɹnz‿əv‿ə daɪˈlɛmə/   

英文释义

介词短语
  1. Facing a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives. idiomatic
    — To admit of the abſolute foreknovvledge of God, and yet to deny his predeſtination, even in its fulleſt extent, is a palpable abſurdity. The diſputant ſticks faſt on the horns of a dilemma, from vvhich he never can be diſengaged, vvithout the extraction of one. And yet to deny either, involves an equal abſurdity, and leaves the poor logician in the ſame predicament; […]

词源

From horn (“alternative in an argument”), from Latin argūmentum cornūtum (“argument with alternatives”, literally “horned argument”), a reference to an alternative that one can metaphorically get caught on or injured by.
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