to be in a very difficult or challenging situation
非常に困難で挑戦的な状況にある (hijō ni konnan de chōsenteki na jōkyō ni aru)
"He found himself a rock in a hard place when he had to choose between two difficult options."
"彼は二つの難しい選択肢の間で選ばなければならないとき、a rock in a hard placeにいる自分を発見しました。" (Kare wa futatsu no muzukashī sentakushi no aida de erabanakereba naranai toki, **a rokku in a hādo purēsu** ni iru jibun o hakken shimashita.)
to reduce or eliminate feelings of anxiety or pressure
to set a limit on what is acceptable
to leave for a destination
to help someone through a difficult period
You can't expect to achieve something without taking risks.
to change the rules or conditions to make success harder
