痛いたし痒かゆし

expression, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

delicate situation; mixed blessing; choice between two evils

Describes a situation where any action has both advantages and disadvantages, making it hard to decide. Often used with 〜だ or 〜の状況.

• この問もん題だいは痛いたし痒かゆしで、どう対たい応おうしても批ひ判はんが出でるだろう。

  This issue is a delicate situation; no matter how we handle it, there will be criticism.

• 転てん職しょくするかどうか、痛いたし痒かゆしの決けつ断だんだ。

  Whether to change jobs or not is a decision between two evils.