山穷水尽 At the end of the mountain and water
Explanation
山穷水尽，形容到了极端，无法再前进，比喻到了困境的绝境。
山穷水尽 describes a situation in which one is at the end of their resources and cannot continue.
Origin Story
宋朝诗人陆游年轻时，满腔报国热情，却被奸臣排挤，仕途不顺。他怀才不遇，郁郁寡欢，经常感叹命运不公。一次，他到郊外游玩，走到山穷水尽之处，心情更加沉重。正当他准备返回时，却意外地发现了一条幽深的小路，路旁柳枝轻拂，鲜花盛开，景色宜人。他顿觉眼前一亮，仿佛看到了希望，于是写下了著名的诗句：“山重水复疑无路，柳暗花明又一村。”这首诗表达了陆游虽然身处困境，但仍然相信希望，相信会有柳暗花明的一天。
Lu You, a poet of the Song Dynasty, was a young man full of patriotic enthusiasm, but he was squeezed out by corrupt officials and had no success in his career. He was disappointed and unhappy because he could not use his talents and often complained about the injustice of fate. Once, when he went to the countryside for a walk, he came to a place where the mountains ended and the water dried up. His mood was even heavier. Just as he was about to turn back, he accidentally discovered a winding path, where willows fluttered gently and colorful flowers bloomed. He was immediately delighted, as if he had found hope again, and wrote the famous lines: "Mountains and water seem to end, but behind the willow, a village shines again." This poem expresses Lu You's feeling that despite his plight, he still believes in hope and that there will be a day when the fog clears.
Usage
当我们遇到困难，感觉走投无路时，可以使用“山穷水尽”来形容这种困境。
When we encounter difficulties and feel at the end of our tether, we can use “山穷水尽” to describe this predicament.
Examples
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他已经山穷水尽，无路可退了。
tā yǐ jīng shān qióng shuǐ jìn, wú lù kě tuì le.
He is at the end of his rope and has no way to retreat.
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面对困境，我们不能山穷水尽就放弃希望。
miàn duì kùn jìng, wǒ men bù néng shān qióng shuǐ jìn jiù fàng qì xī wàng。
In the face of difficulties, we must not give up hope when we are at the end of our tether.