狼狈不堪 extremely embarrassed and helpless
Explanation
形容非常窘迫、尴尬的样子，也指处境艰难，难以摆脱困境。
To describe a very embarrassing and awkward situation, also refers to a difficult situation, hard to escape.
Origin Story
话说东汉末年，曹操用计杀害了西凉名将马腾，马腾之子马超为父报仇，起兵反曹。然而，曹操利用反间计离间了马超与韩遂的联盟，使得马超腹背受敌，处境十分危急。马超四处征战，兵败如山倒，原本强大的军队损失惨重，粮草也接济不上，士气低落。在一次败战后，马超率领残兵败将逃亡，一路躲避追兵，衣衫褴褛，饥寒交迫，身心俱疲。他们躲藏在深山老林中，常常要靠采集野果充饥，甚至连饮用水都难以保证。这支曾经威风凛凛的军队，如今却狼狈不堪，逃亡的路上充满了艰辛与危险。最终，马超逃到了益州投奔刘备，这才算暂时摆脱了困境。这段经历让他深刻地体会到了“狼狈不堪”的滋味，也让他更加明白乱世生存的艰难。
In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao cunningly killed the famous Xiliang general Ma Teng. Ma Teng's son, Ma Chao, raised his army to avenge his father and rebelled against Cao Cao. However, Cao Cao used a scheme to break the alliance between Ma Chao and Han Sui, putting Ma Chao in a very dangerous situation with enemies on all sides. Ma Chao fought everywhere, but his defeats mounted, his once powerful army suffered heavy losses, supplies were scarce, and morale was low. After a devastating defeat, Ma Chao led his remaining troops in a desperate flight, constantly hiding from pursuers, clad in rags, hungry and cold, and both physically and mentally exhausted. They hid in the deep mountains and forests, often relying on wild fruits for food, and even access to drinking water was difficult. This once proud and impressive army was now in a sorry state; their flight was full of hardship and danger. Finally, Ma Chao fled to Yizhou and sought refuge with Liu Bei, thus temporarily escaping the dire straits. This experience made him deeply understand the meaning of "extremely embarrassed and helpless", and also made him more aware of the hardships of survival in times of chaos.
Usage
用于形容人处境艰难，窘迫不堪，也用于比喻事情或局面混乱不堪。
Used to describe a person's difficult and embarrassing situation, also used to describe a chaotic situation or mess.
Examples
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他逃窜的样子十分狼狈不堪。
ta tao cuan de yangzi shifen lang bei bu kan
He looked very embarrassed after the escape.
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经历了那场车祸后，他狼狈不堪地回到了家。
jing li le na chang che huo hou, ta lang bei bu kan de hui dao le jia
After the car accident, he returned home in a sorry state.
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比赛失利，他感到狼狈不堪。
bisaishi li, ta gan dao lang bei bu kan
He felt embarrassed after losing the game.