phrase, idiomatic
fall on evil days; be penniless and frustrated; crack up under the strain of poverty; in a state of utter poverty; in the grip of poverty; live a life of poverty
Examples (Tatoeba—Mandarin-English)
Mandarin
他年轻的时候穷困潦倒。
他年輕的時候窮困潦倒。
tā nián qīng de shí hou qióng kùn liáo dǎo 。