Definition
This four-character idiom (成语) literally means 'ammunition exhausted, food supplies cut off' — originally describing a military unit completely cut off from supplies. Today it's used figuratively to describe any situation where you've run out of all resources, options, or ideas, and are in a desperate or hopeless position. It often appears in contexts like business, personal struggles, or negotiations.
f.e.
to be in a desperate situation with all resources exhaustedto have one's back against the wall
Examples
- ，弹尽粮绝。Gōngsī zījīn zhōuzhuǎn bù kāi, yǐjīng dào le dàn jìn liáng jué de dìbù.The company's cash flow has stalled, and it's reached a point where all resources are exhausted.
- ，弹尽粮绝，。Tánpàn xiànrù jiāngjú, shuāngfāng dōu dàn jìn liáng jué, shéi yě bù kěn ràngbù.The negotiations reached a deadlock; both sides had exhausted all options and neither would concede.
- ，弹尽粮绝，。Tā wèile huán zhài sìchù jiè qián, zuìhòu dàn jìn liáng jué, zhǐ néng xuānbù pòchǎn.He borrowed money everywhere to pay off debts, but in the end he had exhausted every resource and had to declare bankruptcy.
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