絶体絶命(ぜったいぜつめい)

ぜったいぜつめい
noun, na-adjective
desperate situation; dire straits
idiom
1. desperate situation; dire straits; critical moment with no way out
A situation where one is cornered with no escape, facing imminent danger or failure.
絶体絶命(ぜったいぜつめい)のピンチから逃(のが)れた。
I escaped from a desperate situation.
締(し)め切(き)りが明日(あした)で絶体絶命(ぜったいぜつめい)だ。
The deadline is tomorrow—I'm in dire straits.
絶体絶命(ぜったいぜつめい)の状況(じょうきょう)でも諦(あきら)めなかった。
I didn't give up even in the most desperate situation.

Etymology

絶体(ぜったい) and 絶命(ぜつめい) are the names of two unlucky stars in traditional divination; a situation under both leaves no way out.

Watch out

Often miswritten 絶対絶命(ぜったいぜつめい), confusing 絶体(ぜったい) with 絶対(ぜったい) (absolutely).

Common patterns

Similar words

Related Words

Related: 危機一髪(ききいっぱつ) (close call)
Compare: 窮地(きゅうち) (predicament, tight spot)
Compare: 万事休(ばんじきゅう)す (all is lost)
general
Added 2026.1.17 20:06 · Revised 2026.10.4 4:27
06000/06339_zettaizetsumei