noun

  1. being stuck between a rock and a hard place, being in a dilemma, being torn between conflicting demands.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
板挟み いたばさみ
 
 
 
板ばさみ いたばさみ
 
板挾み いたばさみ

Contained Kanji Breakdown

plank, board, plate
ハン いた (3rd, N2)
tree, wood
き モク こ- (1st, N5)
anti-
ハン タン ホン (3rd, N3)
wild goose, trailing cliff radical (no. 27)
カン かりがね (Kentei 1)
or again, furthermore, on the other hand
また ユウ やす (Late Jr. High, N1)
pinch, between
キョウ はさ.む ショウ (Early High School, N2)
hand, hand radical (no. 64)
シュ
insert between, (夾 variant)
large, big
ダイ おお- た (1st, N5)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
person
ひと ニン ジン (1st, N5)
grass, straw, herbs
to divide