字面意思是“处于狭窄的角落”,引申为“陷入困境/绝境、处于艰难/尴尬的境地”(形容人或组织因各种压力、问题而难以摆脱的被动状态)。
该短语是系表结构(be + 介词短语),常用在口语或书面语中,强调“处境的紧迫/棘手”。
主语(人/物/组织)+ be in a tight corner + [原因状语(because of/due to/that从句等)]
get into a tight corner:“陷入困境”(强调“进入困境”的动作);
help sb. out of a tight corner:“帮某人摆脱困境”(强调“解决困境”的动作);
put sb. in a tight corner:“使某人陷入困境”(强调“导致困境”的动作)。
1、 描述个人困境:
I'm in a tight corner because I lost my job and can't pay the rent.
(我陷入了困境——丢了工作,付不起房租。)
She got into a tight corner when she forgot her speech at the conference.
(她在会议上忘词了,一下子陷入了尴尬的境地。)
2、 描述组织/企业困境:
Our small business is in a tight corner due to rising costs and falling sales.
(我们的小企业因成本上升、销量下降而陷入绝境。)
The team was put in a tight corner by the opponent's aggressive defense.
(对手的强势防守让球队陷入了艰难局面。)
3、 表达“帮助摆脱困境”:
My friend helped me out of a tight corner by lending me money.
(朋友借我钱,帮我摆脱了困境。)
be in a bind(更口语,强调“两难”);
be in hot water(强调“麻烦/麻烦事”);
be up against it(强调“面临巨大压力”)。
总结:"be in a tight corner" 是一个形象化的表达,核心是“处境艰难、难以应对”,适用于描述个人、团队或组织的紧急困境。