Bēnzǒu Hūháo: 奔走呼号 - To Campaign Relentlessly And Cry Out For Support

Keywords: 奔走呼号, bēnzǒu hūháo, campaign, advocacy, public appeal, Chinese idiom, HSK 6, classical Chinese expression, urgent mobilization

Summary:

奔走呼号 (bēnzǒu hūháo) is a powerful four-character Chinese idiom that literally translates to “running about and crying out.” It describes the act of making urgent, impassioned appeals to the public while actively mobilizing support through relentless campaigning. This idiom carries significant emotional weight, evoking images of activists, reformers, or leaders who dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to a cause, traveling extensively and rallying public opinion. Originally derived from classical Chinese texts describing historical campaigns for justice or rescue, the expression has evolved to encompass modern contexts ranging from political activism and charity drives to corporate marketing campaigns. In contemporary Chinese usage, 奔走呼号 captures both the noble determination of those fighting for a righteous cause and the sometimes desperate urgency of those seeking help. Understanding this idiom provides deep insight into how Chinese speakers conceptualize public advocacy, moral urgency, and the collective mobilization of societal support.

Core Information

• Pinyin: bēnzǒu hūháo
• Part of Speech: Four-character idiom (成语 chéngyǔ)
• HSK Level: Level 6 (advanced)
• Literal Meaning: Running about while shouting; rushing around crying for help
• Idiomatic Meaning: To campaign tirelessly for a cause; to mobilize public support through relentless advocacy

The “In a Nutshell” Concept

Imagine someone who has discovered an injustice so grave that they cannot simply sit quietly. They rush from door to door, from office to office, from media outlet to social platform, their voice growing hoarse from repeatedly shouting their message. They are not merely complaining; they are actively soliciting support, building coalitions, and generating momentum. This is the essence of 奔走呼号. The term captures both the physical energy (the rushing, the movement) and the vocal persistence (the shouting, the crying out). It is a word for those who refuse to be ignored, who understand that change requires not just a good argument but also relentless, visible effort. When Chinese speakers use this idiom, they invoke a sense of moral urgency mixed with admirable determination. It suggests someone who has embraced their mission completely, subordinating personal comfort to the pursuit of their goal.

Evolution and Etymology

The idiom 奔走呼号 traces its roots to classical Chinese literature and historical chronicles. The earliest recognizable usage appears in texts describing political救援 (jiùyuàn - rescue operations) and appeals for famine relief. The two verbs, 奔走 (bēnzǒu - running/ rushing about) and 呼号 (hūháo - crying/shouting), were originally separate expressions that gradually fused into a cohesive unit describing concerted advocacy efforts.

In historical contexts, 奔走呼号 was frequently used to describe scholars and officials who traveled extensively to appeal for reforms, remonstrate against corrupt policies, or mobilize resources during natural disasters. The 19th-century reform movements and early republican activism saw heavy usage of this phrase, as reformers literally traveled between cities and villages, spreading their message and building support networks.

The modern evolution of 奔走呼号 has expanded its semantic territory considerably. While the classical usage carried strong connotations of moral righteousness and personal sacrifice for the greater good, contemporary usage encompasses a broader range of advocacy activities. Today, the term applies equally to NGO campaigns, corporate publicity drives, social media movements, and even personal fundraising efforts. The core meaning remains consistent: active, visible, persistent effort to win public support for a cause. What has changed is the moral framing. Where classical usage implicitly assumed the cause was just, modern usage is more neutral, describing the intensity of the effort regardless of whether the underlying cause is admirable or not.

The following table compares 奔走呼号 with closely related expressions to clarify its unique position in the Chinese vocabulary of advocacy and mobilization.

Analytical Distinction:

The critical difference between 奔走呼号 and its cousins lies in the dual emphasis on movement and vocalization. 振臂高呼 captures the inspirational speech but not the exhausting legwork. 大声疾呼 captures the urgent message but not the campaign of physically reaching people. 摇旗呐喊 captures the enthusiasm but positions the actor as a supporter rather than a leader. 奔走呼号 uniquely combines all these elements into a comprehensive picture of someone who is fully committed to spreading their message through every available channel, accepting personal exhaustion as the price of effective advocacy.

Where It Works:

奔走呼号 shines in contexts involving moral causes, public interest campaigns, and situations where someone is fighting against powerful opposition or systemic indifference. The idiom carries inherent connotations of sincerity and personal sacrifice, making it particularly effective when describing advocacy for the vulnerable, environmental protection, historical justice movements, or public health initiatives. Chinese speakers instinctively recognize that using 奔走呼号 to describe someone's efforts elevates that person's status, framing them as a dedicated activist rather than a mere complainer.

The term is also strategically useful in professional contexts when describing corporate or organizational campaigns. Marketing teams, public relations professionals, and nonprofit organizations often describe their outreach efforts using this idiom, particularly when emphasizing the grassroots nature of their campaigns or the intensity of their efforts to build public awareness.

Where It Fails:

The idiom can sound melodramatic or exaggerated when applied to minor issues or routine professional activities. Describing a colleague's efforts to organize a birthday party as 奔走呼号 would strike native speakers as comically overblown. Similarly, the term carries a somewhat old-fashioned flavor when used in purely commercial contexts, potentially making modern marketing campaigns sound more solemn than intended.

Politically sensitive contexts require caution. While the idiom is not inherently subversive, it does imply that existing authorities have failed to address an issue, necessitating grassroots mobilization. In certain political climates, describing one's own activities with this term might attract unwanted attention or be perceived as implicitly critical of the establishment.

In professional settings, 奔走呼号 typically appears in contexts involving organizational change, resource mobilization, or stakeholder engagement. A project manager might describe their efforts to secure budget approval as “为了项目顺利进行，他不得不四处奔走呼号” (wèile xiàngmù shùnlì jìnxíng, tā bùdé bù sìchù bēnzǒu hūháo - “To ensure the project proceeded smoothly, he had to run around campaigning”). This usage conveys that the manager undertook exhausting, persistent efforts beyond their formal responsibilities to overcome bureaucratic obstacles.

The term also appears frequently in descriptions of entrepreneurs seeking funding or partnerships. When startup founders “为了获得投资四处奔走呼号” (wèile huòdé tóuzī sìchù bēnzǒu hūháo - “running around crying for investment”), the idiom suggests both their desperation and their determination, creating sympathy while also signaling their commitment to their vision.

Power dynamics influence how the term is received. Subordinates using 奔走呼号 to describe their own efforts may be implicitly criticizing management for creating obstacles. Supervisors describing their efforts to advocate for their team members use the term to highlight their dedication and willingness to fight for their people.

Modern Chinese netizens have adapted 奔走呼号 for digital contexts, where it describes online advocacy, viral campaigns, and social media mobilization. The physical “running around” element translates to rapid sharing, commenting, and trending efforts. When a social issue gains momentum, netizens might describe the online community as “在网上奔走呼号” (zài wǎngshàng bēnzǒu hūháo - “running around and crying out online”), emphasizing the collective, urgent nature of digital activism.

Gen-Z usage sometimes adds humorous or self-aware dimensions to the term. Young people might ironically describe their own efforts to get friends to join a group chat or attend a social event as 奔走呼号, using the grandiose language of activism for trivial matters as a form of self-deprecating humor.

The term's association with moral seriousness creates comedic potential when applied to frivolous causes. “为了找到一个好吃的餐厅，他四处奔走呼号” (wèile zhǎodào yīgè hǎochī de cāntīng, tā sìchù bēnzǒu hūháo - “Running around crying out to find a good restaurant”) uses the vocabulary of urgent advocacy for mundane decisions, producing a humorous effect through incongruity.

Understanding 奔走呼号 requires awareness of several unwritten rules governing its usage:

Moral Alignment: The idiom inherently suggests the speaker supports the cause being advocated. Using 奔走呼号 to describe efforts you disagree with creates awkwardness; native speakers would typically choose more neutral language like 宣传活动 (xuānchuán huódòng - promotional activities) or 推广 (tuīguǎng - promotion).

Effort Recognition: Describing someone's 奔走呼号 efforts is a form of praise. When Chinese speakers say someone “为某事奔走呼号,” they are typically expressing admiration for that person's dedication and energy. This makes the term useful for recommendation letters, public acknowledgments, and social media praise.

Implied Obstacles: The phrase suggests significant resistance has necessitated such extreme efforts. Using 奔走呼号 implicitly frames the advocate as fighting against indifference, corruption, or powerful opposition. This narrative structure gives the advocacy dramatic weight but also requires careful handling when the opposition includes friends, family, or authority figures the listener respects.

Collective vs. Individual: While 奔走呼号 can describe an individual leader, it more commonly implies a movement with multiple participants. Describing a solo individual's routine work as 奔走呼号 sounds excessive unless that individual is genuinely undertaking supererogatory efforts. The term carries communal connotations, suggesting the advocate is building coalitions rather than acting alone.

Example 1:

为了拯救濒临灭绝的野生大熊猫，专家们在国际会议上奔走呼号，呼吁各国加强保护合作。

Pinyin: Wèile zhěngjiù bīnlín mièjué de yěshēng dàxióngmāo, zhuānjiā men zài guójì huìyì shàng bēnzǒu hūháo, hūyù gèguó jiāqiáng bǎohù hézuò。

English: To save the endangered wild giant pandas from extinction, experts ran around crying out at international conferences, urging countries to strengthen conservation cooperation.

Deep Analysis: This example illustrates the idiom's application to serious international advocacy. The experts are depicted as tireless campaigners, traveling to prestigious forums to plead their cause before global audiences. The stakes are existential (species survival), lending appropriate weight to the dramatic language. The phrase emphasizes both the physical travel (奔走) and the vocal advocacy (呼号), capturing the comprehensive nature of diplomatic efforts to mobilize international action.

Example 2:

这位人权律师为无辜被冤入狱的当事人四处奔走呼号，从地方法院一直上诉到最高人民法院。

Pinyin: Zhè wèi rénquán lǜshī wèi wúgū bèi yuān rù yù de dāngshì rén sìchù bēnzǒu hūháo, cóng dìfāng fǎyuàn yīzhí shàngsù dào zuìgāo rénmín fǎyuàn。

English: This human rights lawyer rushed around crying out for her wrongly imprisoned client, appealing from local courts all the way to the Supreme People's Court.

Deep Analysis: Here we see 奔走呼号 applied to legal advocacy, highlighting the lawyer's determination to exhaust every possible avenue for justice. The progression “从地方法院一直上诉到最高人民法院” (from local courts to the Supreme Court) emphasizes the extensive efforts undertaken. This usage demonstrates the idiom's association with fighting against systemic injustice, positioning the lawyer as a crusader for fairness rather than merely a legal professional doing her job.

Example 3:

每当发生重大自然灾害，志愿者们就会第一时间奔赴灾区，四处奔走呼号，为受灾群众筹集物资和善款。

Pinyin: Měi dàng fāshēng zhòngdà zìrán zāihài, zhìyuàn zhě men jiù huì dì yī shíjiān bēnfù zāiqū, sìchù bēnzǒu hūháo, wèi shòuzāi qúnzhòng chóují wùzī hé shànkuǎn。

English: Whenever a major natural disaster occurs, volunteers rush to the disaster area at first notice, running around crying out to raise supplies and donations for the affected people.

Deep Analysis: This example captures the idiom's application to humanitarian relief efforts, emphasizing the urgency and exhaustiveness of volunteer mobilization. The phrase “第一时间奔赴灾区” (rushing to the disaster area at first notice) establishes the immediate response, while “四处奔走呼号” captures the intense fundraising and resource mobilization that follows. This usage highlights the selfless dedication of volunteers, framing their efforts in heroic terms.

Example 4:

退休老教师为了保护家乡的古建筑不被拆除，奔走呼号了整整十年，终于感动了当地政府重新规划。

Pinyin: Tuìxiū lǎo jiàoshī wèile bǎohù jiāxiāng de gǔ jiànzhù bù bèi chāichú, bēnzǒu hūháo le zhěngzhěng shí nián, zhōngyú gǎndòng le dāngdì zhèngfǔ chóngxīn guīhuà。

English: The retired teacher ran around crying out for a full ten years to protect her hometown's ancient buildings from demolition, finally moving the local government to revise their plans.

Deep Analysis: This example showcases the long-term commitment that 奔走呼号 can imply. Ten years of advocacy demonstrates extraordinary persistence, and the idiom captures both the exhausting effort and the moral determination driving it. The successful outcome (“终于感动了当地政府” - finally moved the local government) provides closure, but the emphasis on the decade-long struggle highlights the systemic obstacles the advocate faced. This usage positions the retired teacher as a heroic preservationist fighting bureaucratic indifference.

Example 5:

在选举期间，各党派候选人都不遗余力地奔走呼号，希望能够赢得更多选民的支持。

Pinyin: Zài xuǎnjǔ qījiān, gè dǎngpài hòuxuǎnrén dōu bùyíyúlì de bēnzǒu hūháo, xīwàng nénggòu yíngdé gèng duō xuǎnmín de zhīchí。

English: During the election period, candidates from all parties spared no effort running around crying out, hoping to win more voters' support.

Deep Analysis: This political application demonstrates the idiom's versatility in competitive contexts. While still carrying connotations of energetic advocacy, the usage here is more transactional than moralistic. Candidates are depicted as marketing themselves, using every available tactic to secure votes. The phrase “不遗余力地奔走呼号” (spare no effort running around crying out) suggests comprehensive, exhausting campaign efforts typical of competitive electoral environments.

Example 6:

这位年轻的创业者为了推广他的环保新产品，在各类创业大赛和投资人见面会上奔走呼号，介绍产品的创新理念。

Pinyin: Zhè wèi niánqīng de chuàngyè zhě wèile tuīguǎng tā de huánbǎo xīn chǎnpǐn, zài gè lèi chuàngyè dàsài hé tóuzī rén jiànmiàn huì shàng bēnzǒu hūháo, jièshào chǎnpǐn de chuàngxīn lǐniàn。

English: The young entrepreneur ran around crying out at various startup competitions and investor meetings to promote his eco-friendly new product, explaining the innovative concept.

Deep Analysis: This example applies the idiom to startup culture, where entrepreneurs must pitch their vision repeatedly to skeptical audiences. The phrase captures both the physical aspect (attending numerous events) and the vocal advocacy (repeatedly explaining the product). The entrepreneur is depicted as a passionate advocate for his innovation, spending enormous energy on persuasion. This usage balances admiration for the entrepreneur's determination with an awareness of the challenging sales environment facing startups.

Example 7:

每当看到社会不公现象，这位记者都会在专栏文章中奔走呼号，揭露真相，唤起公众的关注。

Pinyin: Měi dàng kàndào shèhuì bù gōng xiànxiàng, zhè wèi jìzhě dōu huì zài zhuānlán wénzhāng zhōng bēnzǒu hūháo, jiēlù zhēnxiàng, huànqǐ gōngzhòng de guānzhù。

English: Whenever he sees social injustice, this journalist runs around crying out in his column, exposing the truth and awakening public concern.

Deep Analysis: This example highlights the idiom's application to journalism and media advocacy. The journalist is depicted as a watchdog, using his platform to expose injustice and mobilize public opinion. The phrase “揭露真相” (exposing the truth) and “唤起公众的关注” (awakening public concern) elaborate on the nature of his advocacy, framing journalism as a form of moral calling. This usage positions the journalist as a social conscience, using his visibility to amplify marginalized voices.

Example 8:

为了帮助偏远山区的孩子获得教育机会，这位慈善家四处奔走呼号，联系了数十家企业和社会组织，最终建立了五所希望小学。

Pinyin: Wèile bāngzhù piānyuǎn shānqū de háizi huòdé jiàoyù jīhuì, zhè wèi císhànjiā sìchù bēnzǒu hūháo, liánxì le shùshí jiā qǐyè hé shèhuì zǔzhī, zuìzhōng jiànlì le wǔ suǒ xīwàng xiǎoxué。

English: To help children in remote mountainous areas gain educational opportunities, this philanthropist ran around crying out, contacting dozens of businesses and social organizations, ultimately establishing five Hope Primary Schools.

Deep Analysis: This philanthropy-focused example demonstrates the idiom's application to charitable fundraising and organizational building. The philanthropist is depicted as a coalition builder, leveraging personal connections to mobilize resources for a worthy cause. The specific accomplishments (establishing five schools) provide concrete evidence of success, validating the intense advocacy efforts. This usage frames philanthropy as active, exhausting work rather than passive generosity.

Example 9:

面对全球气候变化带来的严峻挑战，各国环保组织在联合国气候大会上奔走呼号，要求发达国家承担更多责任。

Pinyin: Miànduì quánqiú qìhòu biànhuà dàilái de yánjùn tiǎozhàn, gè guó huánbǎo zǔzhī zài Liánhéguó qìhòu dàhuì shàng bēnzǒu hūháo, yāoqiú fādá guójiā chéngdān gèng duō zérèn。

English: Facing the severe challenges posed by global climate change, environmental organizations from various countries ran around crying out at the UN Climate Conference, demanding that developed countries take on more responsibility.

Deep Analysis: This international relations example illustrates the idiom's application to global advocacy campaigns. Multiple organizations are depicted as coordinating their efforts, using the conference as a platform to amplify their demands. The phrase captures both the intense lobbying efforts behind the scenes and the public demonstrations and speeches that characterize international environmental negotiations. This usage positions NGOs as moral voices pressing governments toward greater responsibility.

Example 10:

这位足球运动员受伤后，为了能够重返赛场，坚持康复训练，并在社交媒体上奔走呼号，争取球迷的支持和祝福。

Pinyin: Zhè wèi zúqiú yùndòngyuán shòu shāng hòu, wèile nénggòu chóngfǎn bǐsài, jiānchí kāngfù xùnliàn, bìng zài shèjiāo méitǐ shàng bēnzǒu hūháo, zhēngqǔ qiúmí de zhīchí hé zhùfú。

English: After being injured, this football player, determined to return to the field, persisted with rehabilitation training and ran around crying out on social media, seeking fans' support and blessings.

Deep Analysis: This sports example applies the idiom to personal recovery narratives, where athletes must mobilize public support during rehabilitation. The phrase captures both the physical struggle (rehabilitation training) and the emotional appeal (social media advocacy for support). This usage positions the athlete as fighting against both physical injury and psychological doubt, using fan support as motivation and validation. The modern context (social media) demonstrates the idiom's adaptability to digital-age advocacy.

Example 11:

当地的居民为了阻止有毒化工厂的建设，在社区会议上奔走呼号，向政府代表表达他们的担忧和反对意见。

Pinyin: Dāngdì de jūmín wèile zǔzhǐ yǒu dú huàgōngchǎng de jiànshè, zài shèqū huìyì shàng bēnzǒu hūháo, xiàng zhèngfǔ dàibiǎo biǎodá tāmen de dānyōu hé fǎnduì yìjiàn。

English: Local residents, to stop the construction of a toxic chemical factory, ran around crying out at community meetings, expressing their concerns and objections to government representatives.

Deep Analysis: This environmental justice example illustrates the idiom's application to community organizing against perceived threats. Residents are depicted as mobilizing collectively against a powerful industrial interest, with the idiom capturing both their vocal opposition at public meetings and their broader advocacy campaign. The phrase implies that individual complaints were insufficient, necessitating organized, persistent resistance. This usage highlights grassroots democracy in action, where citizens must actively advocate to protect their interests.

Example 12:

这位动物权利活动家在各大商场外奔走呼号，抗议销售皮草产品，呼吁消费者保护动物权益。

Pinyin: Zhè wèi dòngwù quánlì huódòngjiā zài gè dà shāngchǎng wài bēnzǒu hūháo, kàngyì xiāoshòu píǎo chǎnpǐn, hūyù xiāofèi zhě bǎohù dòngwù quányì。

English: This animal rights activist ran around crying out in front of major shopping malls, protesting the sale of fur products, and urging consumers to protect animal rights.

Deep Analysis: This direct action example demonstrates the idiom's application to public protests and demonstrations. The activist is depicted as traveling between multiple locations (各大商场 - major shopping malls), using physical presence and vocal protest to disrupt normal commercial activity and raise awareness. This usage captures the confrontational energy of direct action activism, where advocates physically insert themselves into spaces associated with practices they oppose.

Understanding Contextual Appropriateness

The most common mistake non-native speakers make is using 奔走呼号 for situations that lack sufficient gravity or urgency. The idiom carries strong connotations of serious moral causes and exhausting personal sacrifice. Applying it to trivial matters creates an unintentionally comic effect.

Mistake 1: Overapplication to Minor Issues

Wrong: 为了选择午饭吃什么餐厅，我在网上奔走呼号地问朋友们建议。

Right: 为了选择午饭吃什么餐厅，我问了朋友们的建议，但不需要奔走呼号。

Explanation: This sentence misuses 奔走呼号 by applying it to a trivial decision-making process. Choosing a lunch restaurant requires no urgent advocacy or exhausting campaign. The idiom should only be used when someone genuinely undertakes significant, sustained effort against obstacles or indifference. For casual decision-making, simple phrases like 征求意见 (zhēngqiú jiànyì - asking for opinions) or 商量 (shāngliang - discussing) are appropriate.

Mistake 2: Ignoring the Collective Dimension

Wrong: 作为一个内向的人，他只是在家里安静地思考这个问题，从未四处奔走呼号。

Right: 作为一个内向的人，他不太习惯四处奔走呼号，但他最终鼓起勇气向社会各界呼吁关注。

Explanation: The original sentence contains a logical contradiction. Someone who only thinks quietly at home cannot be described as 奔走呼号, which inherently involves external advocacy and visible campaigning. If describing an introverted person who eventually takes action, the second version correctly shows the contrast between their natural tendency and their eventual mobilization efforts. The phrase can acknowledge reluctance while still depicting the advocacy effort itself.

Mistake 3: Misplacing the Moral Framing

Wrong: 那个骗子为了骗取钱财，在各个城市奔走呼号，推销他的虚假投资计划。

Right: 那个骗子在各个城市招摇撞骗，推销他虚假的投资计划。

Explanation: While grammatically possible, using 奔走呼号 to describe fraudulent activities creates semantic awkwardness. The idiom carries inherent connotations of moral legitimacy, implying the advocate has a righteous cause. Describing scammers with this term creates a jarring incongruity that native speakers would find strange. For describing fraudulent schemes, phrases like 招摇撞骗 (zhāoyáo zhuàngpiàn - swindling through bluffing) or 传销诈骗 (chuánxiāo zhàpiàn - pyramid scheme fraud) are more semantically appropriate.

Mistake 4: Confusing with Passive Complaint

Wrong: 面对公司的不公待遇，他只是在社交媒体上奔走呼号抱怨。

Right: 面对公司的不公待遇，他奔走呼号地向管理层请愿，并联系了劳动监察部门。

Explanation: 奔走呼号 implies active, strategic advocacy aimed at creating change, not mere venting of frustrations. Simply complaining on social media lacks the targeted, solution-oriented quality of true advocacy. The corrected version shows the person taking concrete actions: petitioning management and contacting regulatory authorities. This demonstrates that 奔走呼号 describes purposeful campaigning, not passive complaining.

Mistake 5: Tone Mark Inattention

Wrong: Ben zou hu hao is an important Chinese expression for advocacy.

Right: Bēnzǒu hūháo (奔走呼号) is an important Chinese expression for advocacy.

Explanation: Pinyin without tone marks loses critical information for non-native learners. Bēnzǒu (bēn zǒu) specifically means “to rush/run” while bēnzǒu with wrong tones could suggest different meanings. Similarly, hūháo (hū háo) distinguishes the crying/shouting from other meanings. Always include tone marks when providing pinyin to ensure accurate pronunciation and to model proper learning habits.

• 仗义执言 (zhàngyì zhíyán) - To speak out boldly in defense of justice; closely related when describing advocates who speak truth to power.
• 大声疾呼 (dà shēng jí hū) - To appeal loudly and urgently; shares the vocal emphasis but lacks the physical campaign component.
• 振臂高呼 (zhèn bì gāo hū) - To raise one's arm and shout; focuses on inspirational leadership rather than grassroots mobilization.
• 不遗余力 (bù yí yú lì) - To spare no effort; a general expression for dedication that often accompanies 奔走呼号 descriptions.
• 摇旗呐喊 (yáo qí nà hǎn) - To wave flags and shout encouragement; describes supportive participation rather than leading advocacy.
• 慷慨激昂 (kāngkǎi jīáng) - Ardent and impassioned; captures the emotional intensity often associated with 奔走呼号 speakers.
• 疾恶如仇 (jí è rú chóu) - To hate evil as deeply as enemies; captures the moral passion that often drives 奔走呼号 efforts.
• 挺身而出 (tǐng shēn ér chū) - To step forward bravely; describes the initial moment of decision before sustained advocacy begins.
• 身体力行 (shēn tǐ lì xíng) - To practice what one preaches; relates to the personal commitment and sacrifice implied by 奔走呼号.
• 四面楚歌 (sì miàn chǔ gē) - To be surrounded by enemies on all sides; often describes the difficult situation that necessitates 奔走呼号 advocacy.