走投无路 at the end of one's rope
Explanation
比喻处境极其困难，已经找不到任何出路。
It means that one is in an extremely difficult situation and can no longer find any way out.
Origin Story
明朝末年，李自成率领农民起义军攻打北京城，崇祯皇帝走投无路，最终在煤山自缢而死。他曾经试图向各地求援，却发现大势已去，无人能救。他甚至想到了向清军投降，但又担心被清军杀害，最终绝望地选择了结束自己的生命。崇祯皇帝的死，标志着明朝的灭亡，也成为中国历史上一个悲壮的结局。这个故事体现了走投无路这个成语的含义，也反映了崇祯皇帝在面对国破家亡时的绝望和无奈。
In the late Ming Dynasty, Li Zicheng led the peasant rebel army to attack Beijing. Emperor Chongzhen, having reached the point of no return, ultimately hanged himself on Coal Hill. He had attempted to seek help from other places, but found that the situation was hopeless and no one could save him. He even considered surrendering to the Qing army, but worried that he would be killed. In desperation, he chose to end his life. Emperor Chongzhen's death marked the end of the Ming Dynasty and remains a tragic event in Chinese history. This story illustrates the meaning of "zou tou wu lu", reflecting Chongzhen's despair and helplessness in the face of the collapse of his country and family.
Usage
形容人陷入困境，没有出路。
It describes someone who is in a desperate situation with no way out.
Examples
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他走投无路，只好向朋友求助。
ta zou tou wu lu, zhi hao xiang peng you qiu zhu.
He was at his wit's end and had to turn to his friends for help.
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面对困境，我们不能走投无路，要积极寻找解决办法。
mian dui kun jing, women bu neng zou tou wu lu, yao ji ji xun zhao jie jue ban fa
In the face of adversity, we must not give up hope, but actively seek solutions.