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寸步难行 (cùn bù nán) — (idiom) unable to take a single step; completely stuck; unable to do anything (of a difficult situation)

Definition

Literally 'can't move even an inch' — describes being completely stuck, either physically or in a difficult situation. Refers to a state of total paralysis, stronger than just 困难.

idiom
unable to take a single stepcompletely stuckunable to do anything (of a difficult situation)

Examples

  • 寸步难行。
    Méi yǒu qián zhēn shì cùn bù nán.
    Without money, you really can't do anything.
  • ，，寸步难行。
    Zài mò shēng chéng shì mí le lù, yǔ yán bù tōng, jiǎn zhí cùn bù nán.
    Getting lost in a strange city without the language is almost impossible to get around.
  • ，寸步难行。
    Bié bǎ kùn nan kàn dé tài zhòng, fǒu zé huì ràng zì jǐ cùn bù nán.
    Don't make difficulties seem too serious, or you'll paralyze yourself.

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