What is meant by on the horns of a dilemma?
Definition of on the horns of a dilemma : in a situation in which one has to choose between things that are unpleasant or undesirable.
Where does the phrase on the horns of a dilemma come from?
faced with a decision involving equally unfavourable alternatives. A mid 16th-century source described a dilemma as ‘a horned argument’ (after Latin argumentum cornutum ), the idea being that if you avoided one ‘horn’ of the argument you ended up impaled on the other.
What does it mean when someone says they have a dilemma?
a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives. any difficult or perplexing situation or problem.
What is the meaning of the idiom at the spur of the moment?
Definition of spur-of-the-moment : occurring or developing without premeditation : hastily extemporized a spur-of-the-moment decision.
What is the meaning of the idiom on its last legs?
Extremely tired
Extremely tired, close to collapsing, as in We’ve been cleaning house all day and I’m on my last legs. This hyperbolic expression originally meant “close to dying,” and in John Ray’s 1678 proverb collection it was transferred to being bankrupt.
Which one is an example of a dilemma situation?
The definition of a dilemma is a situation where there is no clear easy choice or answer. An example of a dilemma is when you only have two extra tickets to an event and three friends that want to go. A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.
What is a good sentence for dilemma?
1) I’m in a dilemma about this job offer. 2) The dilemma presented quite a poser. 3) He was in a dilemma, and could see no way out. 4) I am in a dilemma whether to do maths or English.
What is meant by true horns?
True horns—simple unbranched structures that are never shed—are found in cattle, sheep, goats, and antelopes. They consist of a core of bone surrounded by a layer of horn (keratin) that is in turn covered by keratinized epidermis.
What are bags of bones?
Definition of bag of bones informal. : a very thin person or animal I can’t believe how thin he is. He’s just a bag of bones.
How do you use the word dilemma?
Dilemma sentence example
- He made an attempt to resolve the long-standing dilemma .
- The new school rules have put counselors in a terrible dilemma .
- Kate found herself in a dilemma when her two best friends were fighting.
- Prodding Martha to talk out her dilemma helped, didn’t it?
What does horn represent in Scripture?
The raised horn is a common biblical symbol of victory, especially of being rescued from oppression. When this metaphor means victory (Psalm 89:24, 112:9.
What does horns mean in slang?
sexual arousal. You’re giving me the horn, babe. See more words with the same meaning: in want of sex, ‘horny’.
What does it mean to horn a person?
To cause someone to become lustful or sexually excited; to sexually arouse someone. It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but men in uniform totally give me the horn! See also: give, horn.
What is a horned dilemma?
horns of a dilemma, on the Faced with two equally undesirable alternatives. In Greek logic a lemma was a premise, a matter taken for granted in an argument, whereas a dilemma (a double lemma) was an either/or proposition. The Romans called this an argumentum cornutum, or “horned argument,” because one could be caught on either horn.
What is the meaning of I’m on the horns?
For example, I’m on the horns of a dilemma: if I sell the house now I have no place to live, but if I wait I may not get as good a price . This term was first recorded about 1600, but the idea of being caught on either one horn or the other (of an animal) was already expressed in Roman times. See also: horn, of, on
How to use the horns in a sentence?
on the horn on the horns of a dilemma on the horns of the dilemma on the horse on the hot seat On the Hour On the Hour On the Hour On the Hour on the hour/half-hour on the house on the house on the house on the house on the house on the house on the house
Where does the term being caught on a horn come from?
This term was first recorded about 1600, but the idea of being caught on either one horn or the other (of an animal) was already expressed in Roman times. See also: horn, of, on The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.