穷猿奔林 — “To be in desperate straits”

穷猿奔林 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be in desperate straits”. Like a hunted ape rushing into a forest, eagerly seeking any refuge or means of survival, without the luxury of choosing. Literally, “A hunted ape rushing into a forest”.

Frequency

穷猿奔林 Pronunciation and Pinyin

穷猿奔林 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
穷	qióng	7	poor, exhausted, investigate
猿	yuán	13	ape
奔	bēn	8	run quickly or rush
林	lín	8	forest, grove, or community

Example Sentence with 穷猿奔林

他公司破产后，像穷猿奔林一样，四处寻找新的工作机会，希望能尽快稳定下来。

After his company went bankrupt, he was like a hunted ape rushing into a forest, desperately searching for new job opportunities, hoping to settle down as soon as possible.

Origin and Story of 穷猿奔林

Legend has it that in ancient times, Li Hongdu often lamented his unrecognized talents.

When Yin Yangzhou learned of Li Hongdu's poverty, he asked if he would be willing to serve in a less prestigious position.

Li Hongdu, with a sigh, replied, "The lament from 'Beimen' (a poem from the Book of Songs expressing unfulfilled ambitions) has long been heard. A hunted ape rushes into a forest; how can it have time to pick a tree?"

Understanding his predicament and willingness to accept any opportunity, Yin Yangzhou decided to appoint him as the magistrate of Shanxian County, and Li Hongdu was extremely grateful.