English Dictionary

in a cleft stick

前置詞句

オーストラリア英語 イギリス英語 古風

(Australia, Britain, dated) In a difficult situation, unable to choose between unfavourable options; in a dilemma. / Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in, cleft, stick.

日本語の意味

困難な状況にあって、どの不利な選択肢も選べず、板ばさみになる状態を表す（特にオーストラリアやイギリスで古い表現）

Faced with rising costs and stagnant funding, the charity was in a cleft stick, having to decide whether to reduce services or lay off staff.

費用が増え資金が停滞する中、その慈善団体はサービスを削減するか職員を解雇するかの板挟みになった。

意味（1）

(Australia, Britain, dated) In a difficult situation, unable to choose between unfavourable options; in a dilemma.

Ha! I see. You have got me in a cleft stick.

意味（2）

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in, cleft, stick.

Hence when a Huichol woman is about to weave or embroider, her husband catches a large serpent and holds it in a cleft stick, while the woman strokes the reptile with one hand down the whole length of its back; …