进退两难

• 拼音: jìn tuì liǎng nán
• 汉字拆解: 进 means advance; 退 means retreat; 两难 means both options are difficult.

含义

Being trapped between two difficult or awkward choices.

进退两难 is a standard idiom that also works in casual frustration talk. It describes a real dilemma: moving forward has costs, but backing out also creates trouble.

例句

1. 项目接了会超时，不接又尴尬，进退两难。
2. 她想换专业，又怕重读一年，进退两难。
3. 进退两难时，先把两个后果写清楚。

用法指南

语境: decisions, work chat, personal dilemmas

语气: conflicted, serious-casual

正确说法

• 现在真是进退两难，两边都有代价。（Good for a genuine dilemma.）
• 进退两难比单纯不想做更具体。（Clarifies the two-sided bind.）

错误说法

• 只是懒得选也说进退两难。（The phrase needs real difficulty on both sides.）

常见错误

• Using it for any difficult task; 进退两难 specifically involves two blocked directions.

起源与历史

A long-established Chinese idiom: advancing and retreating are both difficult.

文化背景

时代: 2020s

世代: Gen Z and younger Millennials, now common in broader online speech

社会背景: Students, young professionals, and social media users

地区说明: Common in Mainland Chinese online venting, workplace chat, student life, and everyday complaint contexts.