走投无路 zǒutóu-wúlù to be at an impasse (idiom)
to be at an impasse (idiom); in a tight spot; at the end of one's rope; desperate
How to remember 走投无路: 走 to walk + 投 to pitch + 无 have not + 路 road = to be at an impasse (idiom).
Characters
How it is used
- Idiom: at a dead end, with nowhere to turn - 他被逼得走投无路 (tā bèi bī de zǒutóu-wúlù) he was driven to a desperate dead end.
- Describes utter desperation - no options left. Note 投 (tóu) here = to seek refuge/go to.
- Stronger than 没办法 (méi bànfǎ, no way to do it); implies being cornered and hopeless.
Example sentences
- 我们被逼得走投无路了。 Wǒmen bèi bī de zǒutóuwúlù le.We were driven to the wall.