科学家们已到穷途末路了，如果他们得到政府更多的资金，他们才能继续此项研究。 The scientists have reached the end of the road and can only continue the research if they receive more government funding.
在海难事件中丧失一切的海员说，他已经面临穷途末路了。 The sailor who had lost everything by shipwreck said that he was thrown on his beam-ends.
当时，人们普遍要求和平，政府已是穷途末路。 The government was driven to the last ditch by the universal call for peace.
