expression, godan verb (-ru)
be driven into a corner; have nowhere to turn; be in a dilemma
Rare literary expression meaning to be stuck with no way forward or back, like being trapped in a valley. The more common modern equivalent is 進退窮まる.
See also: 進退窮まる
敵に包囲され、進退これ谷まった。
Surrounded by the enemy, they were driven into a corner with nowhere to turn.
「進退これ谷まる」 is an old expression with the same meaning as 進退窮まる.