铁笼 (tiě lóng) — Translating to 'iron cage
Translating to 'iron cage', this slang describes a situation where people feel trapped in a rigid social or economic system, often used to discuss work-life balance and societal pressures.
Example Usage
我觉得在这个城市工作，就像在一个铁笼里。
I feel like working in this city is like being in an iron cage.
Cultural Context
It's often used by young professionals discussing the pressures of urban life.
Category: daily-life