死地 (sǐ de) — deathtrap; hopeless or deadly situation (often military or life-threatening contexts); (in fengshui) dead locality, an unlucky or lifeless site

Definition

Examples

• 历史上，许多将领故意把军队置于死地，以激发士兵的斗志。
  Lì shǐ shàng, xǔ duō jiàng lǐng gù yì bǎ jūn duì zhì yú sǐ de, yǐ jī fā shì bīng de dòu zhì.
  In history, many generals intentionally placed their troops in a deathtrap to inspire the soldiers' fighting spirit.
• 风水师认为这块地是死地，不宜建造房屋。
  Fēng shuǐ shī rèn wéi zhè kuài dì shì sǐ de, bù yí jiàn zào fáng wū.
  The fengshui master considers this plot of land a dead locality, unsuitable for building a house.
• 进入这座无人敢去的死地，需要极大的勇气。
  Jìn rù zhè zuò wú rén gǎn qù de sǐ de, xū yào jí dà de yǒng qì.
  Entering this deathtrap that no one dares to go into requires immense courage.

Origin