be damned if you do and damned if you don't

To be in a situation in which every action (or inaction) could potentially cause one trouble. So your boss will be mad if you miss the work event, and your husband will be disappointed if you skip your anniversary dinner. Yep, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't! You're damned if you do and damned if you don't—if you confess that you broke the vase, then your parents will be mad, and if you don't, then you'll feel guilty about it. A: "Katie found out that I also asked Colleen to prom. Should I come clean with her?" B: "Man, you are damned if you do and damned if you don't!"

be damned if you do and damned if you don't

When people say that you will be damned if you do and damned if you don't, they mean that whatever you choose to do in a situation, you will be criticized. When it comes to interfering in other countries, when you're the world's most powerful nation, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.