两面不讨好

兩面不討好
liǎngmiànbùtǎohǎo

damn if you do, damn if you don't

Wiktionary

Entry Composition

1 两面 liǎngmiàn both sides
2 不 bù
  1. no; not so
  2. (bound form) not; un-
3 讨好 tǎohǎo
  1. to get the desired outcome
  2. to win favor by fawning on sb
  3. to curry favor with
  4. a fruitful outcome to reward one's labor