三さんすくみ

noun

three-way deadlock; trilemma

Refers to a situation where three parties are mutually restraining each other, like rock-paper-scissors. Originates from the snake fearing the slug, the slug the frog, and the frog the snake.

• この問もん題だいは三さんすくみの状じょう態たいで、誰だれも動うごけない。

  This problem is in a three-way deadlock, and no one can make a move.

• じゃんけんは三さんすくみの関かん係けいを表あらわしている。

  Rock-paper-scissors represents a three-way deadlock relationship.