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

Common collocations

Related words

Related Words

Related: 八方塞(はっぽうふさ)がり (blocked in all directions)
Compare: 二律背反(にりつはいはん) (antinomy)
Compare: ジレンマ (dilemma)
general
Added 2026.1.21 9:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
07500/07723_itabasami