相持不下 deadlocked
Explanation
指双方对峙，谁也不肯退让，僵持不下。
Refers to a situation where both sides are in a stalemate, neither willing to concede.
Origin Story
话说三国时期，蜀汉丞相诸葛亮率领大军北伐，与曹魏名将司马懿在五丈原展开激烈的对决。双方兵力相当，战术精妙，战况异常惨烈。蜀军凭借诸葛亮的巧妙布阵和精兵强将，多次击退魏军进攻，但魏军依托险要地势，凭借坚固的防御工事，也顽强抵御着蜀军的攻势。双方相持不下，僵持了百余天，消耗巨大，最终由于蜀军粮草不足，诸葛亮不得不班师回朝，这场旷日持久的战争以蜀军战略性撤退告终。
During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, the chancellor of Shu Han, led his troops on a Northern Expedition, clashing with Cao Wei's renowned general Sima Yi in a fierce battle at Wuzhang Plain. Both sides possessed comparable military strength and employed sophisticated tactics, resulting in an exceptionally brutal conflict. Shu's army, guided by Zhuge Liang's ingenious strategies and capable soldiers, repelled numerous attacks from Wei. However, Wei's army, utilizing favorable terrain and robust fortifications, stubbornly withstood Shu's relentless offensives. The two forces remained in a deadlock for over a hundred days, suffering significant losses. Ultimately, due to dwindling supplies in the Shu army, Zhuge Liang was forced to retreat, ending this protracted war with a strategic withdrawal by Shu.
Usage
用作谓语、定语；指双方对峙，谁也不肯让步。
Used as a predicate or attributive; refers to a situation where both sides are deadlocked, neither willing to give in.
Examples
-
双方在谈判桌上相持不下，谁也不肯让步。
shuāngfāng zài tánpàn zhuōshàng xiāng chí bù xià, shuí yě bù kěn ràng bù.
The two sides were deadlocked in negotiations, with neither willing to compromise.
-
这场比赛双方相持不下，最终以平局告终。
zhè chǎng bǐsài shuāngfāng xiāng chí bù xià, zuìzhōng yǐ píngjú gàozhōng。
The game ended in a draw as both teams were evenly matched and neither could gain an advantage