tomber de Charybde en Scylla

You use this phrase to highlight a worsening situation. It acts as a verb phrase in a sentence. You can conjugate tomber normally. For example, nous tombons de Charybde en Scylla. It sounds a bit sophisticated but very clear. Use it when you feel like the universe is playing a prank on you.

Use it when discussing a series of setbacks. It works well in a professional meeting when a project goes south. You can also use it when venting to a friend about your car troubles. If your first mechanic overcharged you and the second one broke the engine, this is your phrase. It adds a touch of dramatic flair to your storytelling.

Do not use this for minor, single inconveniences. If you just dropped an ice cream cone, it is too much. Avoid it in very casual slang-heavy conversations with teenagers. They might find it a bit 'old school' or overly literary. Also, never use it to describe a positive progression. It is strictly for downward spirals.

This expression comes straight from Greek mythology. Charybdis and Scylla were two sea monsters in the Strait of Messina. Sailors had to navigate between them. If they moved away from the whirlpool of Charybdis, they hit the rocks of Scylla. Homer’s 'Odyssey' made this dilemma famous. The French language kept this classical reference alive for centuries.

You won't find many variations because it is a fixed idiom. Some people might just say c'est Charybde et Scylla to describe a choice between two evils. However, the 'falling' part (tomber) is the most common way to hear it. It remains a staple of elegant, expressive French.