actually, i am not sure whether it means trapping the
troops
but the more precise definition means to face troubles from all
sides, or in desperate situations
i cant find the definition written on the net, except for this (ST
excerpt)
http://careers.asia1.com.sg/st_recruit/r20041209.html
'A Chinese businessman may use the term si mian chu ge to describe
how his business is facing difficulties everywhere. It refers to
the end of the Qin dynasty when the Chus and Hans were fighting to
establish a new dynasty. The Hans deflated the Chus will to fight
by surrounding them (si mian) and singing patriotic Chu songs (chu
ge) to remind them of their homeland, hence the phrase. But if you
dont know the historical background to that expression, you will
find it hard to understand the person who used it, he
said.
