四面楚歌

Meaning: Being surrounded by enemies with no hope of escape or support.

Language: Japanese

Literally: Four sides all singing Chu songs

Category: The Absurd

Origin: Historical account of general surrounded by enemies mimicking homeland songs.

More idioms — The Absurd

• mad as a box of frogs — completely crazy; chaotic and unpredictable.
• paint the town red — to celebrate wildly; to party extensively.
• Quand les poules auront des dents — Never — it describes something that will simply never happen.
• No hay tu tía — There's no way around it; nothing can be done.
• Avere gli occhi foderati di prosciutto — To be unable to see what is right in front of you.
• Viajar na maionese — To talk nonsense or drift off into your own dream world.

More Japanese idioms

• 鯖を読む — To fudge the numbers in your favor, especially your age.
• 油を売る — To slack off or dawdle when you should be working.
• 高嶺の花 — Someone or something beautiful but utterly out of reach.
• 猫舌 — Unable to handle hot food or drinks.
• 猫の額 — A very small space, especially of land.
• 腹が黒い — Scheming and malicious behind a friendly face.

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