力不能支 powerless
Explanation
形容力量不足以支撑。
Describes that the strength is not enough to support something.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，一位名叫李白的诗仙，在游历途中，遇到一群山贼拦路抢劫。李白虽有满腹才华，却不会武功，面对凶神恶煞的山贼，他只能无奈地举起手中之剑，想要抵抗，可是他单薄的身躯根本无法抵挡山贼们凶狠的攻击，最终力不能支，被山贼们劫走了财物。 此事告诉我们，在面对现实的困境时，即使才华横溢，也需要具备相应的实力，才能克服困难，保护自己。否则，再好的才能也如同无用武之地，最终只能力不能支，败下阵来。
It is said that during the Tang Dynasty, a poet named Li Bai, during his travels, encountered a group of bandits who robbed him. Although Li Bai was full of literary talent, he did not know martial arts. Faced with the ferocious bandits, he could only helplessly raise his sword, trying to resist, but his thin body could not withstand the fierce attacks of the bandits. Finally, he was powerless and was robbed by the bandits. This story tells us that when facing difficulties in reality, even if one is talented, one needs to have the corresponding strength to overcome difficulties and protect oneself. Otherwise, no matter how good one's talent is, it will be useless and one will eventually be powerless and lose.
Usage
作谓语、定语、宾语；多用于书面语。
As predicate, attributive, object; mostly used in written language.
Examples
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面对如此强大的敌人，我们的军队力不能支，最终不得不撤退。
miàn duì rú cǐ qiáng dà de dì rén, wǒmen de jūn duì lì bù néng zhī, zuì zhōng bù dé bù chè tuì
Faced with such a powerful enemy, our army was unable to withstand the pressure and finally had to retreat.
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他连续工作了三天三夜，终于力不能支，倒在了办公桌上。
tā lián xù gōng zuò le sān tiān sān yè, zuì zhōng lì bù néng zhī, dǎo le zài bàngōng zhuō shang
He worked continuously for three days and three nights, and finally collapsed on his desk, unable to continue.
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面对突如其来的巨变，他感觉自己力不能支，不知所措。
miàn duì tū rú ér lái de jù biàn, tā gǎnjué zìjǐ lì bù néng zhī, bù zhī suǒ cuò
Faced with the sudden upheaval, he felt powerless and at a loss.