ice age; glacial period
Refers to a geological ice age or glacial epoch. Used in scientific and general contexts.
During the ice age, large areas of the Earth were covered with ice.
tough period; drought (of opportunities)
Figurative extension: a period when opportunities, jobs, or activity are scarce, like a 'hiring ice age' or 'economic ice age'.
The employment ice age generation experienced a harsh job market.
employment ice age; job drought; period of poor employment opportunities
Compound of 氷河 (glacier) + 期 (period). The figurative sense is a metaphorical extension of the geological term.