Scylla

American  

[sil-uh] / ˈsɪl ə /

noun

1. Modern Name Scilla.  a rock in the Strait of Messina off the S coast of Italy.

2. Classical Mythology.  a sea nymph who was transformed into a sea monster: later identified with the rock Scylla.

---

idioms

1. between Scylla and Charybdis,  between two equally perilous alternatives, neither of which can be passed without encountering and probably falling victim to the other.

Scylla British  

/ ˈsɪlə /

noun

1. Greek myth a sea nymph transformed into a sea monster believed to drown sailors navigating the Strait of Messina. She was identified with a rock off the Italian coast Compare Charybdis

2. in a predicament in which avoidance of either of two dangers means exposure to the other

---

Scylla More Idioms  

1. see between a rock and a hard place (Scylla and Charybdis).

---

Example Sentences

Trainer Bill Mott only brought two horses to the Breeders’ Cup, Sovereignty and Scylla.

From Los Angeles Times

Those who have navigated between the Scylla and Charybdis of right and left for too long want to sail to calmer waters.

From Los Angeles Times

He is of course, referring to Homer's epic poem that follows the travels of Odysseus and his crew, who faced perils such a the monster Scylla and giant whirlpool Charybdis.

From Salon

A notable exception is “Scylla & Charybdis,” mythic sea monsters represented here by two carved chunks of alabaster, one milky and the other glassy.

From Washington Post

For many long minutes, those covering the show in real time were trapped between the Scylla and Charybdis of congratulatory awe and potentially backlash-provoking faux pas.

From Los Angeles Times