noun
in the mud; in the mire
Literally 'in mud'; often used in figurative expressions for being in a difficult or messy situation, or in classical/literary contexts.
彼は泥中からはい上がるように成功した。
He succeeded as if crawling up out of the mud.
泥中の蓮のように、清らかさを保つ。
Like a lotus in the mud, one maintains purity.