跋前后跋前踬后bá qián zhì hòu

be beset with difficulties;be unable either to advance or retract;be caught in a dilemma; encounter obstacles ahead and behind; meet hindrances;spring forward on one’s dewlap; trip back on one’s tail
❍ ～，动辄得咎。(《昌黎先生集·进学解》) He had been caught in a dilemma and was blamed for whatever he did.