Korean word

사면초가

Pronunciation

Romanizationsamyeonchoga

Meaning

  • nouncornered on all sides

Example

팀이 사면초가에 빠져서 방법을 못 찾는다.ti mi sa myeon cho ga e ppa jeo seo pang beo beul mot chan neun da

The team is at a dead end and can't find a way forward.

Illustration for 사면초가 (cornered on all sides)

More examples

예산 부족으로 프로젝트는 사면초가에 몰렸다.ye san pu jo geu ro peu ro jek teu neun sa myeon cho ga e mol lyeot tta

Because of a budget shortfall, the project was left with no way out.

Core concept

Every direction is blocked, leaving someone isolated, surrounded, and unable to escape.

Common phrases

  • 사면초가에 빠지다sa myeon cho ga e ppa ji da

    become surrounded on all sides

  • 사면초가에 몰리다sa myeon cho ga e mol li da

    be forced into a dead end

Similar words

궁지kungji: A tight spot with almost no way to get out or solve the problem.
곤경kongyeong: A troubled situation that leaves someone unsure what to do.
위기wigi: A serious threat that puts a person, group, or system at risk.
난국nanguk: A difficult situation that is hard to settle or bring under control.

Definition in Korean

사면초가는 도와줄 사람이나 빠져나갈 길이 없어 완전히 고립된 상태를 가리키는 한자성어이다.sa myeon cho ga neun to wa jul ssa ra mi na ppa jeo na gal kki ri eop sseo wan jeon hi ko rip ttoen sang tae reul ka ri ki neun han ja seong eo i da

Word origin

The word is based on the Chinese story of Xiang Yu, whose defeated forces were surrounded and heard Chu songs in every direction.

Usage tips

  • English-speaking learners can recognize this as a figurative expression for a team, organization, or person under pressure rather than only a literal military situation.

Other meanings

  • surrounded by enemiesnoun
  • dire straitsnoun

Opposites

  • 활로hwalloway outnoun
  • 돌파구tolpagubreakthroughnoun

Word lists with this word