JLPT N1Proverbs
四面楚歌
- Meaning
- 周囲がすべて敵や反対者で味方が一人もいない状況
- Explanation
- From the legend that the surrounded Xiang Yu, hearing songs of his homeland Chu from all sides, realized his allies had surrendered, it describes a situation of being isolated and without support, surrounded only by enemies. It is the exact opposite of c2, where reinforcements come from all directions; note that the Chu songs signal not rescue but despair.
Original Japanese explanation
包囲された項羽が、四方から故郷・楚の歌を聞き味方の降伏を悟った故事から、周囲が敵ばかりで孤立無援の状況を表す。四方から援軍が来る c2 とは正反対で、楚歌は救援ではなく絶望を告げる点に注意します。
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