势单力薄 (shì chán) — weak and isolated, lacking strength and support

Definition

Examples

• 在这家公司，他势单力薄，很难做出改变。
  Zài zhè jiā gōng sī, tā shì chán, hěn nán zuò chū gǎi biàn.
  In this company, he is weak and isolated, and it's hard for him to make changes.
• 那个小公司势单力薄，很快就被大企业吞并了。
  Nà ge xiǎo gōng sī shì chán, hěn kuài jiù bèi dà qǐ yè tūn bìng le.
  That small company was weak and had no support, and was soon swallowed up by a big enterprise.
• 他出身势单力薄的家庭，但靠努力成功了。
  Tā chū shēn shì chán de jiā tíng, dàn kào nǔ lì chéng gōng le.
  He came from a family with no wealth or backing, but succeeded through hard work.