板挟(いたばさ)み

いたばさみ
noun
being caught between; dilemma
1. being caught between; stuck in the middle; dilemma
A situation where one is trapped between two opposing forces, expectations, or choices, unable to satisfy both sides.
上司(じょうし)と部下(ぶか)の板挟(いたばさ)みになった。
I got caught between my boss and my subordinates.
仕事(しごと)と家庭(かてい)の板挟(いたばさ)みで苦(くる)しんでいる。
I'm struggling, caught between work and family.
親友(しんゆう)たちの喧嘩(けんか)で板挟(いたばさ)みの状態(じょうたい)だ。
I'm stuck in the middle because of my best friends' fight.

ETYMOLOGY:
板(いた) (board) + 挟(はさ)み (being sandwiched) - literally being squeezed between two boards, expressing the feeling of being trapped.

USAGE:

Commonly describes:

  • Being between two people in conflict
  • Conflicting obligations (work vs. family)
  • Difficult decisions with no good options

COLLOCATIONS:

  • 板挟(いたばさ)みになる - to get caught between
  • 板挟(いたばさ)みの状態(じょうたい) - a state of being caught between
  • AとBの板挟(いたばさ)み - caught between A and B

RELATED:

  • 八方塞(はっぽうふさ)がり - blocked in all directions
general
Added 2026.1.21 9:25
07500/07723_itabasami