To be in a situation where one is compelled to act or proceed; once a course of action has been initiated, it must be carried through, often due to circumstances leaving no other choice.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Yuan Shao, preparing to attack Cao Cao, ordered his strategist Chen Lin to draft a powerful denunciation titled 'A Proclamation for Yuan Shao Against Yuzhou' (referring to Cao Cao). This proclamation detailed Cao Cao's alleged crimes and harshly insulted his ancestors.
After Yuan Shao was defeated by Cao Cao in the Battle of Guandu, Chen Lin seized the opportunity to defect to Cao Cao. Cao Cao, recalling the scathing proclamation, asked Chen Lin why he had written such a fierce indictment.
Chen Lin responded that at the time, he was forced by Yuan Shao, explaining that the situation was like 'an arrow on the bowstring, having no choice but to be discharged.'