This expression means in difficulty, faced with two dangerous alternatives. It is of nautical origin. 'Devil' is a seam between planks that was difficult to caulk. If sailors fell from a footrope under a yardarm, they would either land on the deck (within the devil plank) or in the water (outside of the devil plank). Either option is likely fatal. Literally it means a physical position between two unpleasant things. The first recorded citation in print is from 1637.

Übersetzung:

in einer Zwickmühle stecken

Gegenteil(e)

The opposite of "to be stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea" is "to find a solution".

Synonym(e):

You could also say: to be on the horns of a dilemma.