destitute and at loose ends; desperate and ruined
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to be down and out; to be at the end of one's rope; destitute and desperate
literaryDescribes someone who has exhausted all options, resources, and hope, often due to financial ruin or career failure. Carries a tone of pity or sympathy.
Shēng生
yì意
shī失
bài败
hòu后
，
tā他
qióng穷
tú途
liáo潦
dǎo倒
，
lián连
fáng房
zū租
dōu都
fù付
bù不
qǐ起
。
After his business failed, he was down and out, unable to even pay the rent.
Zhè这
wèi位
céng曾
jīng经
chì叱
zhà咤
fēng风
yún云
de的
qǐ企
yè业
jiā家
rú如
jīn今
qióng穷
tú途
liáo潦
dǎo倒
，
lìng令
rén人
xī唏
xū嘘
。
This once-dominant entrepreneur is now destitute and ruined, which is truly lamentable.
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Qióng穷
tú途
liáo潦
dǎo倒
zhī之
jì际
，
yī一
wèi位
lǎo老
péng朋
yǒu友
xiàng向
tā他
shēn伸
chū出
le了
yuán援
shǒu手
。
At the moment when he was desperate and at loose ends, an old friend reached out to help him.