内外交困 nèi wài jiāo kùn internally and externally troubled

Explanation

指内外都遇到困难的境地。

Refers to a situation where there are difficulties both internally and externally.

Origin Story

战国时期，一个小国长期受邻国欺压，国内又爆发了严重的旱灾，民不聊生。国君焦头烂额，既要应对外敌入侵，又要安抚国内民众，可谓内外交困。最终，这个小国被强大的邻国吞并。

zhànguó shíqí, yīgè xiǎoguó chángqí shòu lín guó qīyā, guónèi yòu bàofā le yánzhòng de hànzāi, mín bù liáo shēng. guójūn jiāotóu làne, jì yào yìngduì wàidí rùqīn, yòu yào ānfǔ guónèi mínzhòng, kěwèi nèiwài jiāokùn. zuìzhōng, zhège xiǎoguó bèi qiángdà de lín guó tūn bìng

During the Warring States period, a small country was constantly bullied by neighboring countries, and a severe drought broke out in the country, causing the people to suffer. The monarch was in a difficult situation, having to deal with external aggression and appease the domestic population. In the end, this small country was annexed by a powerful neighboring country.

Usage

形容内外都处于困境

xiángróng nèiwài dōu chǔyú kùnjìng

Describes a situation where one is in trouble both internally and externally

Examples

• 这家公司内外交困，面临倒闭的危险。

  zhè jiā gōngsī nèiwài jiāokùn, miànlín dǎobì de wēixiǎn

  This company is in trouble, facing the risk of bankruptcy.

• 这个小国内外交困，随时可能爆发战争。

  zhège xiǎoguó nèiwài jiāokùn, suíshí kěnéng bàofā zhànzhēng

  This small country is in a difficult situation and war could break out at any time.

Related Idioms

• 内忧外患

• 四面楚歌

• 穷途末路

Opposite Idioms

• 左右逢源

• 一帆风顺