expression, ichidan verb
exhaust all options; have no means left
Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'swords break and arrows run out', used when all resources or methods are depleted and one is at a dead end.
資金も尽き、人脈も頼れず、まさに刀折れ矢尽きる状態だ。
With funds exhausted and no connections to rely on, we are truly at the point where all options are gone.
Similar meaning of exhausting all measures, but 刀折れ矢尽きる carries a more vivid, literary image of a warrior's weapons being used up.
A classical idiomatic expression from the imagery of a warrior whose sword has broken and arrows are spent, signifying complete exhaustion of means.