1.
have no recourse; nothing can be done; no way to deal with it
An expression meaning there are no available measures or strategies to resolve a problem. Literally 'there is no move to play,' from the game of go or shogi.
もう打つ手がない。
There's nothing more we can do.
医者は打つ手がないと言った。
The doctor said nothing more could be done.
赤字が続き、経営陣は打つ手がない状態に追い込まれた。
Losses continued, and the management was driven into a state where nothing could be done.
Literally "there is no move to play" — a metaphor from board games (go, shogi) where no viable move remains. Expresses helplessness in the face of a problem that cannot be solved.
VARIATIONS:
- 打つ手がなくなる: to run out of options
- 打つ手なし: no recourse (more concise form)
- 打つ手を失う: to lose all options
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 手の施しようがない: nothing can be done (more formal)
- お手上げ: throwing up one's hands; giving up
- 為す術がない: there is nothing one can do (literary)
ETYMOLOGY:
From board game terminology — 打つ手 refers to a move or play one can make. When there are no more moves available, one has lost.