箭在弦上 (jiàn zài xián shǎng) — (idiom) an arrow on the bowstring — something is imminent and there is no turning back
Definition
A chengyu meaning a situation is at the point of no return — the action is inevitable, like an arrow already fitted to the bow. Often paired with 不得不发 ('now must be released').
idiom
an arrow on the bowstring — something is imminent and there is no turning back
Examples
- 箭在弦上，。Xiàn zài jiàn zài xián shǎng, wǒ men yǐ jīng méi yǒu tuì lù le.Now the arrow is on the bowstring — we have no way back.
- 箭在弦上，，。jiàn zài xián shǎng, Bù dé bù fā, wǒ men zhǐ néng jì xù qián jìn.The arrow is on the string and must be released — we can only move forward.
- 箭在弦上，。Qíng kuàng yǐ jīng jiàn zài xián shǎng, dà jiā zhǐ néng quán lì yǐ fù.The situation is already like an arrow on the bowstring — everyone can only give it their all.
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