Idioms

damned if you do and damned if you don't

This page is about the idiom damned if you do and damned if you don't

Meaning

If you say "damned if you do and damned if you don't" you're saying that no matter what someone does, they'll be criticised for it.

For example

  • The school is in one of those "damned if you do and damned if you don't" positions. If they ban junk food in the canteen, the kids will say their rights are being infringed upon, and if they don't ban it, others will say they're damaging the kids' health.

  • If I keep playing music in the same style, some people say I'm repeating myself, but if I change to a new style, other people say I'm just following fashion. I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't!

Quick Quiz

Bev she says she's damned if she does and damned if she doesn't when it comes to changing the club's rules. She's criticised if she changes a rule, and she's also criticised if she

a. doesn't change it

b. lets someone else change it

c. lets someone break the rule
a) doesn't change it b) lets someone else change it c) lets someone break the rule

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey