# 走投无路

zǒu tóu wú lù

Have no viable way out

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Find no road left to turn toward

**Traditional Chinese:** 走投無路

**Register:** Somber · general

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe desperation after available options have closed.

A strong phrase; ordinary inconvenience is usually too mild.

## Understanding the expression

Roads represent possible solutions, and every attempted direction ends without an exit. The expression describes someone who feels trapped by debt, danger, or other severe circumstances. It commonly explains why a person seeks urgent help or considers an extreme action. Because it presents the situation as almost hopeless, it deserves careful use. New advice or support can reveal an option that the distressed person could not previously see.

## Examples

他债务缠身，走投无路，只好向家人求助。

### Traditional Chinese

他債務纏身，走投無路，只好向家人求助。

tā zhài wù chán shēn ， zǒu tóu wú lù ， zhǐ hǎo xiàng jiā rén qiú zhù 。

Burdened by debt and out of options, he turned to his family for help.

别等到走投无路才咨询专业人士。

### Traditional Chinese

別等到走投無路才諮詢專業人士。

bié děng dào zǒu tóu wú lù cái zī xún zhuān yè rén shì 。

Do not wait until you have no options before seeking professional advice.

电影中主角走投无路，躲进废弃工厂。

### Traditional Chinese

電影中主角走投無路，躲進廢棄工廠。

diàn yǐng zhōng zhǔ jué zǒu tóu wú lù ， duǒ jìn fèi qì gōng chǎng 。

Out of escape routes, the film's protagonist hides in an abandoned factory.

她以为自己走投无路，援助中心却提供了住处。

### Traditional Chinese

她以為自己走投無路，援助中心卻提供了住處。

tā yǐ wéi zì jǐ zǒu tóu wú lù ， yuán zhù zhōng xīn què tí gōng le zhù chù 。

She thought she had nowhere to turn, but a support center provided housing.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%B5%B0%E6%8A%95%E7%84%A1%E8%B7%AF)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=393&webMd=1&la=0)

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