Definition
腹背受敌 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'to be attacked from both front and back' — i.e., to be in a situation where you face threats or pressure from all sides, with no safe direction. The literal image is 'belly and back both receive the enemy.' It's used in military, business, sports, or any competitive context where someone is surrounded or under simultaneous assault from multiple opponents.
f.e.
to be attacked from both front and rearto be caught between two firesto face threats on all sides
Examples
- 腹背受敌，，。Zhè jiā gōngsī xiànzài fù bēi, jì yào yìngduì jiàgé zhàn, yòu yào chǔlǐ zījīn duǎnquē.This company is now under attack from both sides: it has to deal with a price war as well as a cash shortage.
- ，腹背受敌。Zài qiúchǎng shàng, fù bēi de fángshǒu ràng tā hěn nán fāhuī.On the field, the defense attacking him from all sides made it very hard for him to perform.
- ，腹背受敌，。Lìshǐ shàng, zhè zhī jūnduì fù bēi, zuìzhōng bèi pò chètuì.Historically, this army was attacked from front and rear and was eventually forced to retreat.
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