ride a tiger and find it hard to get off; in too deep to quit
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to be in too deep to quit; to have no way to back down from a difficult situation
Describes a dilemma where one is compelled by circumstances to continue despite difficulties, unable to withdraw safely without adverse consequences. Often used in business, political, or personal contexts where stopping would cause significant loss or embarrassment.
Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
yǐ已
jīng经
kāi开
shǐ始
le了
，
xiàn现
zài在
qí骑
hǔ虎
nán难
xià下
，
zhǐ只
néng能
jì继
xù续
le了
。
This matter has already begun; now we're in too deep to quit, so we can only continue.
Tā他
tóu投
zī资
tài太
duō多
，
xiàn现
zài在
qí骑
hǔ虎
nán难
xià下
，
wú无
fǎ法
tuì退
chū出
。
He has invested too much and now finds himself in too deep to back out.
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Miàn面
duì对
zhè这
zhǒng种
qí骑
hǔ虎
nán难
xià下
de的
jú局
miàn面
，
tā他
zhǐ只
néng能
yìng硬
zhe着
tóu头
pí皮
wǎng往
qián前
zǒu走
。
Faced with such a catch-22 situation, he had no choice but to press on.
Zhèng政
fǔ府
yī一
dàn旦
jiè介
rù入
，
jiù就
huì会
xiàn陷
rù入
qí骑
hǔ虎
nán难
xià下
de的
jìng境
dì地
。
Once the government gets involved, it will fall into an irreversible predicament.