四面楚歌

Reading

Kana: しめんそか
Romaji: shimensoka
Kana
Romaji

Definition

1

being surrounded by enemies on all sides; being betrayed (forsaken) by everybody

Note: yojijukugo

Kanji

Readings: シ、 よ、 よ.つ、 よっ.つ、 よん
Meaning: four
Readings: メン、 ベン、 おも、 おもて、 つら
Meanings: mask, face, features, surface
Readings: ソ、 ショ、 いばら、 しもと、 すわえ
Meanings: whip, cane
Readings: カ、 うた、 うた.う
Meanings: song, sing

Example Sentences

これじゃあまるで四面楚歌(しめんそか)だ。
➥I see that I am surrounded by hostile faces.
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あんな四面楚歌(しめんそか)状態(じょうたい)で、(かれ)よく仕事(しごと)してられるよな。
➥He's completely shunned. I'm surprised he's still working here.
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