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Damned if one does and damned if one doesn't Meaning in English

expression

DAMD if wun DUZ and DAMD if wun DUZ-uhnt
DAMD if won DOHZ and DAMD if won DUZ-uhnt

Definition

This expression describes a situation where there are only bad choices, and no matter what you do, you will be criticized or have negative consequences.

Usage & Nuances

Informal, often used when discussing dilemmas or unfair situations. Can be shortened to 'damned if you do, damned if you don't.' Sometimes replaced with 'no-win situation.' Not offensive, but uses a mild swear word ('damned').

Spanish: estés como estés, sales perdiendo - haga lo que haga, estarás mal - es un callejón sin salidaPortuguese (BR): se correr o bicho pega, se ficar o bicho come - não importa o que faça, dá erradoPortuguese (PT): se correr o bicho pega, se ficar o bicho come - não importa o que faça, dá erradoChinese (Simplified): 左右为难 - 进退两难Chinese (Traditional): 左右為難 - 進退兩難Hindi: ना करें तो मुश्किल, करें तो भी मुश्किल - ऊँट के मुँह में जीराArabic: بين نارين - لا مفر من الخسارةBengali: করলে গণ্ডগোল, না করলেও গণ্ডগোল - যা-ই করেন, বিপদে পড়বেনRussian: куда ни кинь — всюду клин - что ни делай, все плохоJapanese: やっても地獄、やらなくても地獄Vietnamese: làm cũng dở, không làm cũng dở - làm gì cũng bị tráchKorean: 해도 욕먹고 안 해도 욕먹는다Turkish: yapsan bir dert, yapmasan ayrı dert - ne yapsan yaranamamakUrdu: کرو تو بھی برا، نہ کرو تو بھی براIndonesian: serba salah - mau bagaimana pun tetap salah

Example Sentences

It's damned if one does and damned if one doesn't in this job—no one is ever happy.

basic

Parents sometimes feel damned if one does and damned if one doesn't when setting rules for their kids.

basic

With this decision, she's damned if she does and damned if she doesn't.

basic

Politicians are often damned if they do and damned if they don't; someone will always complain.

natural

Trying to please both sides is a damned if you do and damned if you don't situation.

natural

Honestly, it's damned if we do and damned if we don't—so let's just pick one and move on.

natural