Between hawk and buzzard phrase
Used in a situation in which someone is caught between two extremes or two factions
The refugees fled across the border in order to avoid being caught between hawk and buzzard.
As I did not take sides, I ended up being caught between hawk and buzzard.
The people were caught between hawk and buzzard because of the civil war.
Used to say that someone is taken by surprise or caught when they are careless or inattentive.