entre le marteau et l'enclume

between the hammer and the anvil; between a rock and a hard place; between the devil and the deep blue sea

“J'étais entre le marteau et l'enclume, car si je ne contractais pas un autre prêt - et ne m'endettais pas davantage - je ne pourrais pas rembourser les dettes que j'avais déjà.” — I was between a rock and a hard place, for if I didn't take out another loan—and go deeper into debt—I could not pay off the debts I already owed.