Definition
This is a four‑character idiom (成语) from the ancient Book of Songs (《诗经》). It describes a situation where you can neither advance nor retreat — you are stuck between two bad options, with no way out. Use it in formal or written contexts when someone faces a serious dilemma.
f.e.
caught in a dilemmabetween a rock and a hard place
Examples
- ，进退维谷，。Gōngsī cáiyuán shí, tā jìn tuì wéi gǔ, jì bù xiǎng cízhí yòu wúfǎ jiēshòu xīn ānpái.When the company laid off staff, he was caught in a dilemma: he didn't want to resign, but he couldn't accept the new arrangement either.
- ，进退维谷，。Miànduì zhè xiàng fēngxiǎn jí dà de tóuzī, tóuzī zhě jìn tuì wéi gǔ, bù zhī rúhé juécè.Faced with this extremely risky investment, the investor felt caught in a dilemma and didn't know how to decide.
- ，进退维谷，。Xiàngmù zhōngtú zījīn duǎnquē, tuánduì jìn tuì wéi gǔ, jìndù bèipò zàntíng.Midway through the project, funds ran short; the team found itself in a dilemma and work was forced to stop.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.