[jìn tuì wéi gǔ]
be in a fix [dilemma; quandary]; be at a nonplus [plunge]; be hard put to it (for); be in a cleft stick; be locked in the horns of a dilemma; be on [between] the horns of a dilemma; be thrown into a dilemma; between the devil and the deep sea; be up a tree; difficult either to advance or draw back; remain in a very undecided state; stick in the mud
The reactionary authorities are between two fires and have been discredited.
反动当局弄得进退维谷， 不得人心。