Definition
走投无路 (zǒu tóu wú lù) is an idiom meaning 'to be at an impasse, with no way out' — it describes a desperate situation where all options have been exhausted. It's more concrete and vivid than 绝望 (juéwàng 'to despair'), which focuses on the emotional state of hopelessness. Compared to 束手无策 (shù shǒu wú cè 'at one's wit's end'), 走投无路 emphasizes the external dead end, while 束手无策 stresses the internal inability to act.
phrase
to be at an impasseto have no way outdesperate (situation)
Examples
- ，走投无路，。Gōngsī pòchǎn hòu, tā zǒu tóu wú lù, zhǐhǎo xiàng péngyou jiè qián.After his company went bankrupt, he was at an impasse and had to borrow money from friends.
- 走投无路，。Dírén bèi bī de zǒu tóu wú lù, zuìzhōng tóuxiáng le.The enemy was driven into a corner with no way out and finally surrendered.
- 走投无路，。zǒu tóu wú lù zhī xià, tā juédìng qù guówài pèngpèng yùnqì.With no other options left, he decided to try his luck abroad.
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