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.

FOUR-CHARACTER IDIOM (四字熟語(よじじゅくご)):
絶体(ぜったい) and 絶命(ぜつめい) both mean "desperate" or "critical." The doubling intensifies the meaning to express an extreme situation with no way out.

Etymology

Originally from Chinese astrology, where 絶体(ぜったい) and 絶命(ぜつめい) were two of the twelve unlucky star positions (十二殺(じゅうにさつ)).

Common patterns

絶体絶命(ぜったいぜつめい)のピンチ: a desperate crisis
絶体絶命(ぜったいぜつめい)の状況(じょうきょう)/事態(じたい): a dire situation
絶体絶命(ぜったいぜつめい)に追(お)い込(こ)まれる: to be driven into a corner

Similar words

窮地(きゅうち): predicament, tight spot
危機一髪(ききいっぱつ): hair's breadth, close call

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 2026.9.2 12:02

06000/06339_zettaizetsumei