To lure someone into a difficult or dangerous situation and then cut off their escape route, leaving them in the lurch.
他劝说小王接手了这个烫手山芋般的项目，结果在关键时刻却上树拔梯，让小王进退两难。
He persuaded Xiao Wang to take on this problematic project, but at the critical moment, he removed the ladder, leaving Xiao Wang in a dilemma.
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