be damned if you do and damned if you don't
be damned if you do and damned if you don't
To be in a situation in which every action (or inaction) could potentially cause one trouble. So your boss will be mad if you miss the work event, and your husband will be disappointed if you skip your anniversary dinner. Yep, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't!
See also: and, damned, if
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
be damned if you do and damned if you don't
When people say that you will be damned if you do and damned if you don't, they mean that whatever you choose to do in a situation, you will be criticized. When it comes to interfering in other countries, when you're the world's most powerful nation, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
See also: and, damned, if
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- make (one) mad
- make mad
- get mad
- get mad at (someone or something)
- get mad at something
- be storming mad
- hopping mad over (something)
- storming mad
- hopping mad about (something)
- hopping mad