sì四fourmiàn面sideschǔ楚Chugē歌song
To be surrounded by enemies; to be isolated and without help.
Literal meaning
four (四) — sides (面) — Chu (楚) — song (歌)
Origin
Refers to the story of Xiang Yu, a warlord of the Chu kingdom, who was surrounded by the Han army. The Han soldiers sang Chu songs to demoralize his troops. A classical four-character phrase.
Examples
gōng公sī司jīng经yíng营bù不shàn善，xiàn现zài在sì四miàn面chǔ楚gē歌。
The company is poorly managed and is now surrounded by difficulties.
zài在zhè这cì次wēi危jī机zhōng中，tā他gǎn感dào到sì四miàn面chǔ楚gē歌，gū孤lì立wú无yuán援。
In this crisis, he felt surrounded by enemies, isolated and helpless.
Usage & nuances
Describes a situation of extreme isolation and danger.
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