八方塞(はっぽうふさ)がり

はっぽうふさがり
noun
blocked in all directions; at a dead end
1. blocked in all directions; at a dead end; no way out
A situation where all options are exhausted and there is no apparent solution or escape route.
八方塞(はっぽうふさ)がりの状況(じょうきょう)だ。
It's a situation where I'm blocked in all directions.
借金(しゃっきん)で八方塞(はっぽうふさ)がりになった。
I ended up at a dead end because of debt.
八方塞(はっぽうふさ)がりに思(おも)えても、必(かなら)ず道(みち)はある。
Even when it seems like there's no way out, there's always a path.

ETYMOLOGY:
八方(はっぽう) (all eight directions) + 塞(ふさ)がり (blocked) - blocked in all directions. From Chinese cosmology where eight directions cover all possible paths.

ORIGIN:
Originally a term from 陰陽道(おんみょうどう) (onmyodo) referring to a year when all directions are inauspicious for travel or action.

USAGE:

Describes:

  • Financial troubles with no solution
  • Relationship problems with no escape
  • Work situations with no options
  • General feeling of being trapped

COLLOCATIONS:

  • 八方塞(はっぽうふさ)がりになる - to become blocked in all directions
  • 八方塞(はっぽうふさ)がりの状態(じょうたい) - state of being at a dead end

RELATED:

  • 行(い)き詰(づ)まり - deadlock, impasse
  • 板挟(いたばさ)み - caught between two sides
general
Added 2026.1.21 9:27
07500/07741_happoufusagari