Question of the Day #1348

Damned if you Do and Damned if you Don’t

From the headline of this article at The Therapeutic Care Journal.

  上記の文で、damned if you do and damned if you don'tの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "damned if you do and damned if you don't" mean?

  答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

そうすれば困ったことになるし、そうしなくても困ったことになる。／あちらを立てればこちらが立たず。／行くも地獄、帰るも地獄。◆【場面】二つの選択肢のうち、どちらをとっても悪い結果になってしまう。

Damned if you do, damned if you don'tと言う・書くこともあります。

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

informal
—> used to say that in a specific situation a person can be blamed or considered wrong no matter what he or she does

 

Examples

1. Well, this is one of these things where you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
2. You can and you can’t, you shall and you shan’t; you’ll be damned if you do, and you’ll be damned if you don’t.
3. The school is in one of those "damned if you do and damned if you don't" positions. If they ban junk food in the canteen, the kids will say their rights are being infringed upon, and if they don't ban it, others will say they're damaging the kids' health.
4. If I keep playing music in the same style, some people say I'm repeating myself, but if I change to a new style, other people say I'm just following fashion. I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't!
5. So your boss will be mad if you miss the work event, and your husband will be disappointed if you skip your anniversary dinner. Damned if you do, damned if you don't!

   

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