生民涂炭 People in dire straits
Explanation
形容人民处于极端困苦的境地，百姓生活在水深火热之中。
Describes the extremely difficult situation of the people; the people live in misery.
Origin Story
话说东汉末年，天下大乱，黄巾起义之后，战火连绵，百姓流离失所，生民涂炭。张角率领的黄巾军虽然号称百万，但大多是农民，缺乏训练和装备，很快就败在了朝廷军的面前，然而战乱却并没有因此结束。各地豪强割据，互相征战，百姓成了战争的牺牲品，田地荒芜，家园破碎，饿殍遍野，哀鸿遍地。即使朝廷想安抚百姓，也鞭长莫及。许多人为了活命，不得不四处逃亡，过着食不果腹，衣不蔽体的日子。更有甚者，被逼无奈，加入了盗贼的行列，一时间天下大乱，民不聊生。
In the late years of the Han Dynasty, the country was in turmoil. After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, wars continued, people were displaced, and the people were in dire straits. Although Zhang Jiao's Yellow Turban Army boasted millions of people, most were peasants lacking training and equipment, and soon they were defeated by the imperial army. However, the war did not end as a result. Local powerful figures carved up the land, fighting each other, and the people became victims of war. Fields were barren, homes were destroyed, corpses were everywhere, and everywhere there were cries of woe. Even if the imperial court tried to pacify the people, it was beyond reach. Many people, in order to survive, had to flee everywhere, living a life of hunger and poverty. Even worse, some were forced to join the ranks of bandits, and for a time the country was in chaos and the people were suffering.
Usage
常用于形容社会动荡、人民生活极度困苦的状况。
Often used to describe the social unrest and extreme hardship of the people.
Examples
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战乱年代，百姓生民涂炭，苦不堪言。
zhànluàn niándài, bǎixìng shēngmín tú tàn, kǔ bù kān yán
In times of war, the people were in dire straits and suffered unspeakably.
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面对灾荒，生民涂炭，政府应该及时采取救济措施。
miàn duì zāihuāng, shēngmín tú tàn, zhèngfǔ yīnggāi jíshí cǎiqǔ jiùjì cuòshī
In the face of famine, the people are in dire straits, and the government should take timely relief measures.