beset with difficulties both internally and externally; in dire straits at home and abroad
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to be beset with difficulties both at home and abroad; to face troubles both internally and externally
formalCommonly used to describe countries, governments, or large organizations facing simultaneous domestic crises (political, economic) and foreign relations difficulties. Typically used in formal contexts, news reports, and historical descriptions.
Dāng当
shí时
zhèng政
fǔ府
nèi内
wài外
jiāo交
kùn困
，
bù不
dé得
bù不
tuī推
xíng行
yī一
xì系
liè列
gǎi改
gé革
cuò措
shī施
。
At that time, the government was beset with difficulties both at home and abroad, and had to implement a series of reform measures.
Yóu由
yú于
guǎn管
lǐ理
bù不
shàn善
jiā加
shàng上
shì市
chǎng场
jìng竞
zhēng争
jī激
liè烈
，
zhè这
jiā家
gōng公
sī司
xiàn陷
rù入
le了
nèi内
wài外
jiāo交
kùn困
de的
jú局
miàn面
。
Due to poor management coupled with fierce market competition, this company fell into a predicament of being troubled both internally and externally.
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Zài在
nà那
gè个
tè特
shū殊
de的
nián年
dài代
，
guó国
jiā家
nèi内
wài外
jiāo交
kùn困
，
rén人
mín民
shēng生
huó活
shí十
fēn分
jiān艰
nán难
。
In that particular era, the country was beset with internal and external troubles, and people's lives were extremely difficult.