四面楚歌
sì miàn chǔ gē
surrounded by enemies on all sides; utterly isolated
Character by character
四sì
four
four
面miàn
sides
sides
楚chǔ
Chu
Chu
歌gē
songs
songs
Example
资金用完了，合作伙伴也纷纷退出，他陷入了四面楚歌的境地。
His money ran out and his partners pulled out one after another, leaving him beset on every side.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
From the battle of 垓下 (202 BC): hearing his enemies sing the songs of his own Chu, 项羽 thought his homeland lost. Usually 陷入／面临四面楚歌的境地.
Learn this in Lesson 87 · HSK 6–7: 汉：一个朝代的名字 (The Han: a dynasty that named a people)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
Open the lesson →